Tamworth Borough Council has responded to Spud Man, aka Ben Newman’s criticism of the St Editha’s Square redesignThe new look St Editha's Square with the church in the background and Colin Grazier Memorial set in a new look paved area The new look St Editha’s Square with the church in the background and Colin Grazier Memorial set in a new look paved area (Image: Tamworth Borough Council)

The council responsible for a major refurbishment to a Staffordshire town’s main has responded to criticism from a fast-food seller and TikTok star who is its most famous occupant.

Social media sensation Spud Man ripped the new look St Editha’s Square in Tamworth where he has been selling jacket potatoes for decades.

The high-profile food seller laid into Tamworth Borough Council for the work at the square saying ‘my toddler could have done better’.

Spud Man, whose real name is Ben Newman, criticised the square’s new bins, benches and bollards and said he would be boycotting the official grand opening this Saturday (June 21).

Read more: TikTok star slams square renovation saying ‘my toddler could have done better’

He said: “Let’s talk about the square and this absolute monstrosity that they have built for us.

“To be completely honest I don’t mind the aesthetic of it.

“But what the **** are these (showing the benches/new seating) and why was it just in the middle taking up room?

“And why have you put that (the benches) there (several feet from the wall by St Editha’s Church) and not fixed the wall?”

He said security bollards needed to be redone as they were not easy to lower and raise.

And more bollards had been placed on the inside of a pavement and not the outside, which according to the fast food seller encouraged illegal parking. You can read Spud Man’s full comments here.

And now Tamworth Borough Council has issued a response – acknowledging that there may be some teething problems.

But also backing its refurbishment project, which it said was in part to Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which was introduced in response to the Manchester terror attack in May 2017.

It said part of the changes at St Editha’s Square, one presumes with the new metal bollards were ‘appropriate hostile vehicle mitigation measures’ to prevent vehicles being driven into people.

Spud Man aka Ben Newman has criticised the refurbished St Editha's Square and said his toddler could have done a better job of it Spud Man aka Ben Newman has criticised the refurbished St Editha’s Square and said his toddler could have done a better job of it

Tamworth Borough Council leader, Cllr Carol Dean, (Bolehall, Labour) said: “We are delighted to see St Editha’s Square open and transformed into a public space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“This project is part of our ambitious government-funded Future High Street Fund town centre regeneration programme.

“The vision for St Editha’s Square was to create a more modern, inviting and open space, that works better for leisure and entertainment, as well as being home to the market, and it’s wonderful to now see that vision begin to come to life.

“You can see the area has been levelled to create an even surface, with striking decorative paving, which connects our historic church with the new buildings in town. The renovation has also made the space look and feel bigger and much more open.”

The new look St Editha's Square in Tamworth town centre The new look St Editha’s Square in Tamworth town centre (Image: Tamworth Borough Council )

Cllr Dean continued: “We’ve preserved the Colin Grazier memorial, while reducing the size of its raised base, and installed six new UK native trees.

“We’ve also significantly increased the amount of seating in the space, with a modern design, giving opportunity for all visitors to relax in the space. It has been good to see these very much in use over the sunny weekend.

“While the square is now open and in use, we are making some adjustments to the security measures to make sure they work effectively for all users.

“The current measures meet the required safety standards under Martyn’s Law, but we’ve identified that a different approach would better serve the square’s intended use as a flexible community space.”

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Cllr Dean added: “We are now working with our contractors and security specialists to implement an alternative solution that will maintain the same high level of public safety whilst allowing the square to function as the vibrant, accessible space our community deserves.

“This type of refining is normal in major developments, and the work does not prevent the square opening and being in use.

“Market traders returned to St Editha’s Square from Tuesday 17 June, and, at the request of the traders, the day gives opportunity to familiarise with the refurbished space before the official opening celebration on the 21 June.

“The official opening event on the 21 June is a celebration, as we welcome everyone back to the square.

“Along with the local market, the official opening celebration will feature live performances by local music acts, dinosaur walkabouts for families and prizes and special offers from local businesses.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone as we celebrate this milestone for the regeneration programme.”