Tamworth’s Spudman Saved! Council Reverses Eviction After Public Outcry
Big news out of Tamworth—Spudman is staying! If you haven't been following this, let me catch you up. Ben Newman, better known as "Spudman" on TikTok, has become a local legend selling his famous £5 jacket potatoes right in St Editha’s Square. With over four million followers online, his popularity skyrocketed, drawing in customers from all over. But recently, his spot was at risk.
Tamworth Borough Council had originally planned to revamp the square as part of a massive £21 million regeneration project. The proposal, submitted in 2023, included adding flower beds and improving walkways between the town centre and the castle grounds. The problem? These changes meant Spudman would have to move from his usual patch. And let’s just say, people were not happy about it.
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As soon as the news broke, the public rallied behind him. A petition quickly gained traction, racking up over 100,000 signatures. Fans and locals flooded social media, voicing their support. The message was loud and clear—Tamworth wanted to keep Spudman right where he was.
In response, Councillor Carol Dean, the leader of Tamworth Borough Council, took to social media to announce a major U-turn. She acknowledged the overwhelming public feedback and confirmed that the council had reconsidered its plans. While the regeneration project is still moving forward, the layout has been adjusted. The flower beds that would have displaced Spudman are being relocated, ensuring he can continue serving his famous potatoes in the same spot.
Councillor Dean emphasized that the council’s duty is to listen to the community, and in this case, the public’s voice was impossible to ignore. She also reassured traders and residents that the town centre improvements would still bring positive changes, including new benches for people to enjoy the space. The area is expected to reopen at the end of May, as originally scheduled.
So, it’s official—Spudman is here to stay! This story proves the power of community voices and just how much one small business can mean to a town. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, next time you’re in Tamworth, you might want to stop by and grab one of Spudman’s famous jacket potatoes.
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