Over 100,000 sign petition for Tamworth TikTok star Spudman

Ben Newman, known as Spudman, has garnered over 100,000 signatures on a petition protesting his removal from his long-held pitch in Tamworth's St Editha's Square, which is being converted into a flowerbed. The local council has assured him that once the renovation is complete, vendors, including Spudman, will be welcomed back, albeit to a location just a few meters from his original spot. Spudman, who boasts four million TikTok followers, expressed relief after meeting with council officials, who apologized for the miscommunication regarding his pitch. However, he remains concerned that the new location would obstruct views of the church, affecting his business. Despite the challenges, he has received offers from other towns to set up his stall, indicating a potential shift in his loyalty from Tamworth. The council emphasized the importance of local businesses and stated that the redevelopment aims to enhance footfall in the area.