It would be so incredible to inject a bit of life, and character, back into our local shopping centre. It’s so sad to see so many old shops pushed out by rent rises. It would be wonderful if affordable rents meant that independent shops could afford to set up. Sutton Coldfield desperately needs to find its heart and sense of community again, and the shopping centre could be an integral centre to this.

I would like to see Sutton town centre a thriving community hub. A central hub with wellbeing classes, a healthy cafe and a focus on arts/culture. Greengrocers and butchers and just places that bring people together

A reduction in rents over a sustained period would also encourage smaller independent traders an a variety of shops. How is it logical to charge high rents only to achieve so many empty units? Neither the council, the traders or potential customers benefit from the current situation!

I was born and bred in Sutton and I am absolutely disgusted at what it has become, like a run down shanty town. if places like Solihull and Lichfield can still be vibrant with the majority of shops still open then Sutton needs to get back on track and fast.

It’s like a ghost town and it’s very sad for the older population of Sutton when we lost Marks & Spencer’s who could shop there for meals for one, not everyone has cars so they can drive to Mere green or Beggers bush

I’ve lived in Sutton all my life. I’ve worked in the town centre for the last year and can’t believe how many shops have closed down in that period, it’s tragic really.

I am moving there soon and it always seems lovely when I visit.

Make Sutton great again