Lichfield Team Away Days

Day 1

Every year we try to carve out a bit of time to step away from our desks, spend some proper time together, and explore places that are shaping up cross the country. After last year’s visits to Manchester and Stockport, this year we headed to Lichfield for a couple of days of site visits, fresh air and sun.

Day 1 was all about SUEs around Tamworth and Lichfield. We visited a mix -some with strong placemaking, and others… let’s just say less so.

We were lucky to be joined by Dan Roberts, who previously worked as Lichfield Council’s urban designer. His insights and local knowledge really helped bring the sites to life.

We stopped for lunch at Bod in one of the newer local centres within Streethay development, explored a few more sites, and rounded off the day with a well-earned drink and dinner!

Day 2

Day 2 in Lichfield started bright and early with a few of us heading out for a 7am 5K around Beacon Park and Minster Pool to take in the fresh air and lovely views before breakfast.

We then spent the morning exploring Lichfield city centre, looking at how new development sits within a historic context and how town centres are evolving.

From the Premier Inn and Birmingham Road redevelopment to smaller interventions like the Ego building and St Mary’s Centre, it was a chance to see first-hand how Lichfield is tackling change in a sensitive and thoughtful way.

A big thanks to Kerry Challoner from Lichfield District Council for joining us and talking us through the plans for the Birmingham Road site -really interesting to hear more about the thinking behind it.

After a quick stop for coffee, we wrapped up our visit with a visit of the Cathedral, and a team lunch and meeting in the afternoon.

Two days packed with learning, conversations, and quality time together!