The Quarry was a sea of brollies and wet clothing at last July's 80s concert

A host of events – including concerts, shows and charity fundraisers – will take place at a Shrewsbury’s Quarry park this year — but one councillor claims it is still not being used to its “full potential”.

The Quarry will be the venue for a number of live music nights as well as annual events such as the flower show, and Shrewsbury Town Council has outlined plans to make more use of the park’s bandstand.

At a meeting of the council’s recreation and leisure committee last week members outlined a diary of events which includes a spring fair from March 30 to April 10, Shrewsbury Regatta on May 9 and 10 and a performance by Chester City Brass Band on July 4.

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But speaking at the committee meeting Councillor Jon Tandy said he would like to see more live music events at the park.

He said: “We could make more use of the Quarry, I just feel we’re not using it to its maximum potential.

“People love going to concerts at night, we should have more events like that.”

The Quarry is licensed to host 10 live music events a year and in the past it has attracted Travis and acts including The Human League, Go West, T’Pau and Bananarama, who performed to 10,000 people at a Back to the 80s concert last summer.

Council clerk Helen Ball said: “The policy is designed so that we can’t have more than 10 concerts without having to apply for individual licences. Once the policy is up for renewal we could apply to have more events at that point.”

Councillor Tandy said he would like changes to the licence to be discussed at a future meeting.

Mike Cox, the council’s outdoor recreation and asset manager, said they had been approached by the Town Centre Residents’ Association who wanted to make more use of the bandstand.

He said: “Chester City Brass Band are coming to perform so hopefully this will stimulate some interest and we’ll get local bands asking if they can play in the Quarry as well.”

The summer concerts are provisionally set to take place on July 9 and 10.

Chris Bailey, from IML Concerts which organised last year’s 80s music event, said they were still negotiating contracts with artists.

He said: “We know who we’d like to present on the Friday night but contracts are still being discussed.

“The Saturday concert is an open book at this stage but we should have an idea in three to four weeks.”

By Emma Kasprzak