Spudman wins fight to save pitch from flowerbed

Ben Newman, aka Spudman, complained after he learned he had lost his usual pitch, prompting a petition signed by more than 100,000 people

TikTok sensation Spudman will be returning to his town centre pitch after plans to replace it with a flowerbed were scrapped.

Ben Newman's regular pitch on St Editha's Square in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was due to be removed as part of the current work to improve the area.

The street vendor said a new place offered to him had not been suitable and he posted a number of videos to his millions of followers to voice his frustration.

Following an outcry on social media and an online petition signed by more than 100,000 people, Tamworth Borough Council agreed to change the plan to allow Mr Newman to return to his original pitch.

Council leader Carol Dean, said she had heard the "clear and passionate voice of our community" about the plans for St Editha's Square.

She said: "The overwhelming response has demonstrated how deeply our residents and visitors care about our town centre and its traders."

Council leader Carol Dean said the authority was determined to learn from the experience

Dean said the council acknowledged the issue had caused concern and was "determined" to learn from the experience.

"We value the contribution of all our local traders who bring character and vitality to our town centre, and very much look forward to traders once again back on the square when the works are complete," she continued.

Mr Newman, who was granted freedom of the borough of Tamworth last year, had previously said in a video posted on 14 February that losing his pitch left him feeling "destroyed".

"The amount we've done, and that's what I get. I get a flowerbed on my pitch," he said.

Video seen by millions

The video was watched 2.7m times and the petition, which was launched on Change.org, has since been signed by more than 113,000 people.

Following the council's U-turn, Mr Newman said to his supporters: "Thank you very much, and mission accomplished.

"We got our pitch back and it's all down to you lot signing the petition, so thank you very, very much."

The traders, including Spudman, were temporarily moved to different locations when work on the square began in November.

Ms Dean said the work was continuing and was due to be completed in May.