New campaign launched to put royal town on the map

A GROUP of businesses in a Birmingham suburb have joined forces to launch a new brand in a bid to encourage more visitors to the area.

The Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District has launched the ‘Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’ brand, marketing the town in the north of the city as a place to ‘work, study, shop and enjoy.’

The new brand was revealed by BID board members at Friday’s Sutton Coldfield Business Fair. And the new launch includes a new logo, which features town icons – Tudor rose, the town’s ancient symbol, a church spire marking the Holy Trinity Parish Church in the centre - the town’s oldest building - a crown, reflecting the town’s ‘Royal’ status and a green leaf to symbolise Sutton Park, one of the biggest urban parks in Europe.

The logo and branding will replace the older Sutton Colfield BID brand in the town centre. The move comes after the renewal of the BID - a levy paid by town centre businesses into a fund to help promote the town. Around £200,000 is raised a year from the 377 businesses in the town.

New town centre BID manager Michelle Baker said: “The BID has been in place for 10 years and it’s key that we raise the profile of both the BID company and the town centre to place Sutton Coldfield firmly on the map. This new branding of Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield will help us do that, by sending out the message that this is a wonderful place to spend time, to eat, drink, shop, relax and enjoy everything we have to offer.

“This colourful new brand is just the first step we are exploring so many exciting ideas for the town centre.”

The new brand will officially launch on Armed Forces Day this Saturday (25th) when there will be a free flight simulator in town, Toy Story-style Green army Men parading, an army veteran turned chocolatier will be selling tasty

treats, live music and face painting.