|
West Bromwich is an old market town
that is now part of Sandwell. It grew as a rural area
until the rich coal, clay and iron deposits were
exploited, which led to the development of many large
industries, initially based on iron. Like the
neighbouring towns, it became heavily industrialised,
which was helped by the local canals, then the railway
and later the road network.
The town expanded and the
population rapidly grew, which led to the building of
many housing estates. In 1882 the town became a
municipal borough. On 1st April, 1966 under the terms of
the Local Government Reform Act, the Borough of West
Bromwich was extended to include most of Tipton and
Wednesbury, along with parts of Birmingham, Smethwick,
Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Coseley, Bilston, Walsall, and
Aldridge. On the 1st April, 1974 Sandwell Metropolitan
Borough was formed, with the merger of West Bromwich and
Warley Borough Councils. The new borough includes six
Black Country towns: Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick,
Tipton, Wednesbury, and West Bromwich.
The town suffered as a result of
the industrial decline in the 1970s and 1980s, which led
to much unemployment when many local factories closed.
In 1971, the Queen's Square shopping centre opened, as
did the smaller King's Square shopping centre. They
have been a great boost to the town centre. Although many shops
have closed in recent years, the shopping area still
does well.
Unemployment has eased thanks to
the opening of some new businesses, and the town is
still popular with local shoppers. Hopefully a bright
future lies ahead in this ever-changing world, in which
people’s lifestyles are certain to be transformed. |
