23 April 2012 - Well it's nearly all gone now, another chapter in the history of Stourbridge town centre. The Crown Centre existed for less than 30 years so the environmental cost of replacing shopping centres must be huge, at least they got nearer 50 years out of Birmingham's last Bull Ring shopping centre.It has to be said that the Crown Centre was never a great commercial success and personally I always found it a rather depressing place to shop. I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone who feels any sadness about it's demise. Let's just hope that the new Tesco development contributes more to the town's economy, rather than drain it. Just for fun I have added a couple more photos, one of the Crown Centre being built in 1983 and the other showing the original Clock Gardens - I'm not saying anything!

February 2012 - By now most people are aware that development of the new Tesco store is now under way, consequently Dudley MBC have announced some important changes to the traffic system in Stourbridge town centre, here is their news release below:

Motorists are advised that temporary changes to the traffic system in Stourbridge town centre will be in place this month. As part of the exciting multi million pound redevelopment of the Crown Centre in Stourbridge, New Street will be closed on Sundays March 11, 18 and 25 from 6am to 6pm to allow major construction works to take place. The main access to the town centre for motorists will be via the High Street and Lower High Street. Bell Street will also be available as an entry point for motorists visiting the Market Street and Talbot Street area. The one way system along Market Street will be reversed on these Sundays to allow motorists that enter the town via Bell Street to exit along Market Street, across Crown Square and out through Crown Lane. Crown Lane will be the main way out of the town centre for the three Sundays. A temporary give way system will be in place where Market Street and the High Street meet.

Councillor Patrick Harley, cabinet member for transportation, said:
“These works are essential as part of the redevelopment but we are pleased to see these works being carried out on Sundays in order to keep any disruption to motorists to a minimum.

“People can be reassured that the town will be open for business as normal including the Crystal Leisure Centre, library and town hall.”

People can sign up to receive updates about the project by email, by sending their details through to [email protected].

You can also receive updates via twitter using #stourregen or on the council’s ‘Dudley borough’ facebook page.

Further information including a series of questions and answers about the redevelopment of the Crown Centre is available at www.dudley.gov.uk

Please click on the images below to see a larger version, and as a reminder, the final photo taken was during construction of the original Crown Centre in the early 1980s, let's hope the new one is more successful!