A pedestrianised high

On 23rd April 1983 Bromsgrove High Street’s pedestrianised area was officially opened, marking a significant change to the centuries old thoroughfare, which had been traffic free for three years.

The half a mile stretch of High Street with its narrow pavements was the route of the A38. It followed an ancient route that was always busy with traders, travellers, and residents. From at least Roman times Droitwich salt was carried through on its way north.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the High Street coaching inns, such as The George and The Golden Cross, provided hospitality for travellers on long distance journeys, with yards behind to accommodate the horses. A freight carrier with a network from Manchester to Bristol was based in the town. Bromsgrove was at the crossroads of two important transport routes.

By the late 1890 multi-national stores had shops in the High Street. Woolworths arrived in 1930 and by the 1980s the town boasted a number of national retail stores including

Currys, Mothercare, Our Price Records and Tesco. Independent family run businesses included Baylis selling furniture, Dawes menswear and Rainscourt’s delicatessen.

A one-way system using St. John Street and Worcester Road was introduced in March 1980. Traffic was prohibited from using the High Street and Church Street except to allow disabled access and essential loading and unloading. The A38 Eastern Bypass, which was first proposed in 1938, opened in May the following year, taking some through traffic away from the town centre.