Today
When the New Town began Redditch was a small industrial town which was known throughout
the world for its needles, fishing tackle, motor bikes, batteries and springs. Since
that time the industrial landscape of Britain has changed and industrial production
has been largely lost. This is a cause for regret and Redditch has not been immune
to this, losing the majority of its industry. This has not been the fault of the
New Town and, in practice, the improved road network and industrial areas has allowed
Redditch to benefit from the UK move to to the service industries. Redditch remains
the most important town in Worcestershire outside Worcester itself and has a history
of a flexible and inventive population reinventing itself.
