We visited Birmingham area where people are desperate to live but aren't spending any money

There is a huge desire to live in the affluent suburbs around Sutton Coldfield - but the town centre is struggling

It’s the royal town among the most in-demand locations in Birmingham. But despite the fact many are desperate to live there, traders say its high street is dying.

While pricey properties on its outskirts are snapped up rapidly, some say it’s not enough to save Sutton Coldfield’s once-vibrant centre. People we spoke to explained the area was facing huge challenges - despite the town’s overall popularity.

One local trader, who asked not to be named, expressed concerns about the increasing number of empty units. He said Sutton Coldfield town centre was “dying on its feet” - with the number of shoppers not high enough for businesses to fork out on rent costs.

READ MORE: 'Run down' Sutton Coldfield restaurant closes suddenly but diners say 'not surprised'

“The town centre itself is a complete dive,” he said. “The surrounding areas are quite affluent.

“There are sky-high rent prices and no investment. Nobody has invested anything. You look at Solihull and these other places, they’ve had money put into them.”

Alex Light, who recently opened the Folklore coffee shop at the railway station, described Sutton Coldfield as “becoming a commuter town”. He noted a decline in footfall in the main town centre, adding people were seemingly coming in just to leave for work in Birmingham or beyond.

“I’d say it’s almost like a commuter town within Birmingham itself,” he said.

“I think it has changed since Covid. It’s getting a bit younger. The stereotype is old people but actually if you are 30 and you have a dog, living next to the park is great."

Alex added: “I remember it 20 years ago. I think it was more affluent then. It’s a place that relies on a high street too much. It needs to accept more new things coming up. That town centre of 20 years ago is gone. It’s not what people want anymore.”

Ian Michael, from a jewellery shop in the town's market, echoed the sentiment, saying Sutton Coldfield remained more affluent than other parts of Birmingham but did appear in decline. He noted a rise in rough sleepers outside shops and called for action from local authorities.

He suggested reducing parking fees, revamping empty stores and improving cleanliness to breathe life back to the town centre. But he did praise the Sutton Coldfield BID for its efforts in boosting local trade, particularly with an upcoming German-style market.

“In Wylde Green and Mere Green there aren’t many empty shops,” he said. “It looks clean and tidy and you haven’t got beggars outside the shops. It’s probably because rents are a bit cheaper than in the main town centre.

“Through the summer I was coming through town on my push bike and in the morning it was a dump. They need to get that sorted out. I’ve seen people sleeping in the doorways and rolling spliffs and stuff. It doesn’t present Sutton in a good light. That needs to be looked at.

“You can’t persecute homeless people but the council have got to do something to resolve that issue. I think there’s a lot of things they can do that they’re not doing. If you want town centres to survive and to prosper you’ve got to invest time and money and have people that care.”

Get breaking news through BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join.