Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Sutton Coldfield has an interesting history well documented by an extensive collection of primary sources housed in Sutton Coldfield Library. Members of the Research Group have access to this material, and enjoy studying it to find out about aspects of the history of the Royal Town. Completed research is now to be found on this website.

Members who wish to do research meet any Tuesday (2.00-4.30 pm) at Sutton Library, coming as often as they wish to pursue their research topic, with help from experienced members of the Group and library staff. All members receive regular emails with details of our occasional field meetings, public lectures or issues that affect the group.

For further details, see Join Us.

Gracechurch Shopping Centre

The attached article appeared recently in the Sutton Chronicle Week, in which one of its readers reminisced over the early days of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre.

A photograph dated the 9^th November 1974 was included, which depicted murals of Sutton Park above the shop fronts in the area of Beatties and W H Smith, together with the ‘Bishop’ chess piece in the centre of the Mall.

How things have changed in the interim years, from a vibrant, busy shopping destination to one that is fighting for its very existence, due to changing shopping trends.