Aston Fields in Lockdown

Self-sufficient Aston Fields thrives during lockdown

The Aston Fields area of Bromsgrove has long prided itself on its ability to offer residents everything they need on the doorstep.

From Banners the family butchers and the Co-op/Post Office to the dentist, hairdressers, barbers, dog groomer, carpet shop, several restaurants, takeaways and other small businesses, the community is well served for all of its daily needs – plus the occasional treat of course!

Aston Fields is also the home of Bromsgrove railway station, which has recently been rebuilt. It was the construction of the station which led to the opening of New Road in July 1865 to enable townsfolk to take the train to travel to work in Birmingham and Worcester.

Since the lockdown began in March, small communities across the UK have stepped up to the plate to ensure that residents have access to fresh food while adhering to Government advice to only leave their homes if absolutely necessary.

Having food stores close by has also meant that people, particularly the elderly, have not had to worry about travelling to large supermarkets in Bromsgrove.

Although lockdown restrictions are now being eased with non-essential shops now back open, it will take several months before we get back to life as it was before.

This ‘new normal’ doesn’t just apply to the village centre. The nearby trading estate hosts a wide range of businesses including car repairs and MOT specialists, glazing companies and replacement door and window companies to name just a few.

Returning to the retail sector, Claire George, manageress of the Co-op, had her own crisis to deal with at the height of the pandemic.

Claire’s father Peter George contracted Covid 19 and was taken seriously ill, leaving the family devastated.

With Peter in a coma in intensive care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and looking like he was slipping away, the family called on the players of his beloved West Bromwich Albion football club.

After the words of encouragement from manager Slaven Bilic and players past and present were read to Peter, a lifelong Baggies fan, he began to recover and is now happily enjoying early retirement at home in Redditch. We would like to wish him and the family well for the future.

Here at Completely Bromsgrove we’re sure that Aston Fields will continue to serve residents of all ages with a smile and sincerely hope that people will ‘buy local’ to ensure that businesses can recover after the pandemic and provide future job opportunities for the area.