00:01Welcome to Redditch the town you see today was shaped by two very different stories an industry
00:08with a global reach and a post-war plan to build a new town for a growing population Redditch was
00:14designated a new town in 1964 to ease pressure on Birmingham and the wider West Midlands over
00:22the following decades the town expanded a ring road takes traffic around the center while green
00:28corridors link different parts of the area new neighborhoods bought homes schools and services
00:34closer together while green corridors offered routes through the town connecting communities
00:40and giving residents space to walk and cycle but the area's story began long before new town plans
00:47for generations needle making was at the heart of local life the town became known around the world
00:53for those needles at one point its factories produced around 90% of the world's hand sewing
00:59needles the skills behind that industry also helped Redditch to branch into fishing tackle springs bicycles
01:07and motorcycles Royal Enfield became one of the best-known names connected with that manufacturing
01:13heritage you can see that legacy on unicorn hill the former Danilo cinema is now the Royal Enfield a
01:21Wetherspoon pub named after the motorcycles made in the town the old cinema has a new use while its
01:28place in the town story remains clear its art deco frontage has been carefully retained just nearby
01:35stands St Stephen's Church a familiar landmark in the center with a sense of history beside the shops and
01:43cafes the road network here is practical rather than picturesque Redditch's ring road circles the center
01:50and connects it with surrounding neighborhoods residential streets show the quieter everyday side of the town
01:58at the heart of Redditch is the Kingfisher shopping center it opened in 1973 with 51 shops and has grown
02:06into the town's main retail destination its covered walkways bring people together high street names
02:13independent traders places to eat and leisure options for many people it's more than just a place to shop
02:19it's a meeting point and a central part of daily life now on to Arrow Valley Country Park Redditch's
02:27biggest open space its 900 acres include woodland meadows wetlands walking trails and a 29 acre lake
02:35paths follow the water and lead into quieter green spaces with room to walk pause and enjoy the changing
02:42seasons the visitor center and cafe look across the lake while the landscape gives the town a welcoming sense of
02:48space and that concludes our whistle stop tour of Redditch a town with more to offer than you might realize
02:55and certainly well worth a visit
02:57you
02:58you
