7. Event 1: South Staffordshire College workshop

• Three members of Create Streets held a 1 hour co-design workshop with 12 students at South Staffordshire College on 31 October 2022. Students discussed what they wanted to see on the new site, followed by thoughts on how it could be designed through sketches.

Key Themes

• There is not enough for young people to do. The standout concern from younger (and older) generations is the lack of entertainment, retail and leisure options for younger people. Lichfield has a strong offering of boutique, artisanal and smaller businesses, however these were felt not to cater younger ages. Tamworth is a popular place to visit instead. ‘The town is for elders and infants. There is nothing for our age group.’ ‘There is nothing to keep you here after you graduate.’ ‘The town is very boring.’

• Younger people want to stay in Lichfield but feel they cannot afford to. All students said they did not consider it a possibility to stay, live and work in Lichfield as renting and housing was too expensive. They were conscious that new housing was often retirement homes, and were frustrated that smaller houses and flats were not being built. ‘We want to live here but can’t afford it.’ ’If I had enough money I would move to Lichfield . ’

• Lichfield’s traditional architecture is popular with the young. The favourite areas of Lichfield remain it’s historic places, such as the central areas, and around the Cathedral. ‘I enjoy the main street of Waterstones etc. ’

• Lichfield’s contemporary buildings and places are less popular. ‘I don’t like the new buildings. I like the local architecture. All the new homes look the same.’ ’Three Spires, I forgot what that was.’ ‘New development is underwhelming’.