Bob's pounding a shopping beat; HARBORNE: Ex-copper chosen to revive High Street's independent traders.

Byline: By Poppy Brady

FORMER Birmingham police officer Bob Flack has been given a new beat - as saviour of Har-borne High Street. The 61-year-old, who has worked in retailing for more than two decades, has a shopping list to revitalise the High Street by wooing back the smaller independent traders that once made Harborne a unique place to shop.

Bob hopes to introduce an "events culture", encouraging crafts and antique markets and a Continental market alongside the existing monthly farmers' market.

"Over the last 12 months a number of small independent businesses have disappeared from the High Street and we need to get them back," said Bob, who once pounded the Bull Ring beat as a police constable in Dig-beth.

"And there seems to be a lack of fashion shops and no hardware or DIY stores. This is all about forging new partnerships and turning round the retail shortage."

Bob has a track record of managing and improving town centres in Stafford, Derby, Dudley and Cannock. After leaving West Midlands Police he worked with Hereford department store Chadds, leaving as general manager.

Greeting Bob were Coun Peter Hollingworth, chairman of Harborne ward committee, Coun Deirdre Alden, Coun John Alden, Elaine Cunningham, who chairs Harborne Traders, and Phil Stokes, honorary secretary of the Harborne Society. Mr Stokes said: "We're delighted that our campaign for the appointment of a village centre manager has come to fruition. We look forward to working closely with Bob to improve the vitality of the High Street and we particularly want to encourage the return of independent traders."

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ACTION TEAM... Bob Flack with (from left) Peter Hollingworth, Deirdre Alden, John Alden, Elaine Cunningham and Phil Stokes. Picture: Jeremy Pardoe Photosales No.: JP260207Flack-3