Chamber Connections: SLTC Awards Winners Celebration
Behind the Scenes: South Staffordshire College
We’re really looking forward to welcoming our Lichfield & Tamworth business community for a spring gathering that brings together celebration, connection and a bit of behind-the-scenes exploration.
This year, we’re meeting at South Staffordshire College’s new Tamworth campus - a building many locals will remember in its former life as the old Co-operative department store. It’s now been completely reshaped into a modern learning environment, and while we’re not here to sell education, the transformation itself is interesting enough to warrant a look. The College have kindly offered to take us behind the scenes, giving us the sort of tour you rarely get once a space like this is fully up and running.
What you can expect on the day
A look around a building you thought you knew
One of the intriguing things about the new campus is how it’s been fitted inside an existing town-centre footprint. The tour will give you a sense of how the structure has been adapted - from the way natural light now reaches corners that were once hidden retail store rooms, to the unexpected spaces that now exist where clothing rails and counters once stood.
You’ll see:
- a fully functioning vehicle workshop sitting where household goods used to be
- engineering and electrical training rooms that make clever use of the building’s old layout
- IT and digital suites built into what were once open-plan shopping floors
- hospitality and grooming spaces that now replicate real workplaces
It’s not about the courses themselves - it’s about seeing how Tamworth is reimagining its central buildings. It offers a quiet but meaningful snapshot of how spaces in our towns are being reused and refreshed.
Celebrating our 2026 SLTC Awards Finalists
Alongside the tour, we’ll be taking the time to recognise this year’s SLTC Awards finalists. We’ve had a record number of entries – a 5% increase on the doubling we saw the year before - and the standard has been exceptional. This event gives you the chance to meet the finalists in a relaxed setting, hear a little about their journeys, and celebrate their achievements before the awards night itself.
It’s always one of the most uplifting moments in our calendar, and it feels especially fitting to host it in a building that symbolises change, renewal and future possibility.
Networking that feels like a conversation, not a chore
Our Chamber Connections events are intentionally informal. You can expect a warm atmosphere, easy conversation and plenty of chances to talk to people from across Lichfield, Tamworth and the wider region. Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting someone new, this is the kind of networking that feels natural rather than forced.
We’d be delighted to have you join us for what promises to be an engaging, thoughtful and genuinely enjoyable afternoon — a blend of celebration, curiosity and connection, right in the centre of Tamworth.
Why Attend?
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Celebrate the success of the winning candidates
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Meet the awards sponsors
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Opportunity to promote your business
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Connect with previous years winners
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Take photos #SLTCAwards26
Agenda
- 03:30pm: Registration & Refreshments
- 04:00pm: Welcome from the Chamber
- 5:10pm: Tours and Networking
- 6:30pm: Event Close
Location
South Staffordshire College - Tamworth Campus, College Lane, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7LP
Please note this is an invitation-only event and only one person per winner/sponsor organisation is to attend. If you have been shortlisted for two awards then two persons from your organisation can attend.
