The retail landscape in Sutton Coldfield experienced significant transformation throughout 2025, marked by a series of prominent arrivals and departures across the town centre and its suburbs. While the anticipated 700-home redevelopment of the Gracechurch Centre remains in the planning stages, construction has commenced on a major new department store, signalling ongoing change.
New Arrivals and Openings in 2025
The year saw a diverse range of new businesses launch. In February, Willow brought Mediterranean dining to the former Prezzo site in Mere Green's Mulberry Walk. The Oak pub in Walmley also reopened under new management in January.
Wylde Green welcomed the Sweetfields bakery and café in February, adding to the local options. That same month, Australian retail giant Harvey Norman submitted plans to convert the old BHS unit, with work ongoing for a 2026 opening at the Gracechurch Centre.
Greggs unveiled a large new shop on The Parade, though this came at the cost of closing its two other town centre outlets. In Sutton Park, the Bracebridge site added the Chuck and Cluck chicken burger menu in March.
Popular local baker Sebastian Clough returned in June, with his baked goods stocked at the Forage bakery in the Coppice Lifestyle centre. August saw the launch of the Tooth Club dentistry at the Gracechurch Centre.
Other notable openings included: the Silver Tree Bakery's major expansion into a purpose-refurbished café with a co-working space planned; The Victorian Tea Room; the Fine Catch chip shop on Lower Parade; and the Soho Tavern Indian gastropub in Mere Green's Old School House.
Notable Closures and Departures
2025 also witnessed some significant losses for the town. Long-standing Gracechurch Centre tenants Beaverbrooks jewellers and Syers hair salon, after 25 and 40 years respectively, both closed their doors.
The town centre library in the Red Rose Centre shut permanently in June. The Gracechurch Centre saw an exodus of several other businesses, including Southtown Tattoos, Sale Lab, Home Décor, Patty Freaks burger outlet, and the M&S Foodhall concession within WH Smith's (now TG Jones).
Further closures in the centre included Tokin Tea, Prints and Treats, and Bodycare. Elsewhere, Bistrot Pierre left Mulberry Walk in March, and Flamingo Pizzeria departed Boldmere in September.
What Sutton Coldfield Can Expect in 2026
The retail evolution is set to continue into the new year. The opening of the Harvey Norman department store will be a major boost for the Gracechurch Centre, with River Island also expected to open there as soon as January.
Supermarket expansion is on the cards, with a potential new Aldi near Brassington Avenue. Not one, but two new Sainsbury's stores are planned: a £17 million outlet at the former Homebase site in New Oscott, and a convenience store at the Farmer John's pub car park in Streetly.
These confirmed projects suggest that the retail merry-go-round in Sutton Coldfield is far from over, with further changes likely to emerge as 2026 progresses.
