A major £20 million investment has been announced by Richard Parker to support the large-scale regeneration of Solihull’s Holbeche Place, formerly known as Mell Square, in a landmark move aimed at revitalising town and city centres across the West Midlands.
The funding will help unlock the delivery of a major mixed-use redevelopment that will bring new homes, retail spaces, restaurants, and public areas into the heart of Solihull. The project is expected to deliver more than 1,600 new homes over the coming decade, alongside a reimagined town centre designed to encourage day-to-night activity, community engagement, and long-term economic growth.
The scheme, which will be delivered in phases over the next ten years, represents what officials describe as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Solihull’s urban core. The development will combine residential living with independent retail, hospitality venues, cultural spaces, and improved public realm, creating a modern neighbourhood designed to support a growing population and evolving lifestyle patterns.
Announcing the investment at the UKREiiF real estate conference in Leeds, the Mayor emphasised the importance of restoring vibrancy to high streets that have experienced long-term structural change. He highlighted that town centres have historically served as more than commercial spaces, describing them as places where communities connect, businesses grow, and civic identity is formed.
He said the new investment would help reverse the decline seen in many urban centres, supporting the creation of safer, more active, and more attractive environments where residents feel a sense of pride and belonging. Holbeche Place, he added, represents the kind of regeneration needed across the region, combining housing delivery with economic renewal and improved public spaces.
The first phases of the project will be supported by the Mayor’s funding package, enabling the construction of 346 build-to-rent homes, followed by 228 affordable homes. These early stages are intended to establish the foundations of a wider masterplan that will gradually reshape the town centre into a more integrated residential and commercial hub.
Developers and partners involved in the scheme, including nationwide placemaker Muse, are working alongside Solihull Council to deliver the regeneration programme. Council leaders have described the investment as a significant boost to the borough’s long-term economic resilience and attractiveness to investors, businesses, and residents.
Holbeche Place is also designed to improve connectivity within Solihull town centre, creating a welcoming gateway from Warwick Road and encouraging greater footfall throughout the day and evening. The vision places strong emphasis on public spaces, pedestrian-friendly design, and a diverse mix of uses that support continuous activity beyond traditional retail hours.
The investment forms part of a broader regional strategy led by the Mayor to revive high streets and town centres through targeted regeneration schemes. Similar initiatives are already underway across the West Midlands, including developments in Wolverhampton, Telford, and Digbeth, alongside new transport improvements in Dudley.
Alongside these physical regeneration projects, the Mayor has also launched wider initiatives such as the Street Markets Catapult, aimed at supporting local traders and increasing footfall in traditional markets through targeted funding and business support.
Together, these programmes form part of a long-term plan to strengthen the regional economy, improve living standards, and reposition town centres as vibrant, inclusive, and economically sustainable places for future generations.
