Up to 60 new jobs could be created in Shrewsbury with the development of new bars, restaurants and boutique shops following a planned revamp of one of the town’s most historic buildings, it was claimed today.

Kad Zaman, owner of the Station Hotel in Wellington, is in the process of clearing out the Old Maltings building, in Frankwell, as part of ambitious plans to turn the derelict building into a new multi-use development.

Yesterday it was revealed work had been temporarily halted to prepare the site for visits from prospective business owners while structural problems are resolved.

Water leaking through the roof has caused the floors in the building to become uneven, meaning the pillars supporting them need to be replaced, however Mr Zaman said he was confident of being able to show people around the site during this month.

And today he revealed his hopes that the development, which would be known as The Maltings at Frankwell Quay, could provide a jobs boost for the town.

He said it could bring dozens of new jobs to Shrewsbury, including about 20 at his own bar on the site, which would be called The Malthouse.

“The development could employ 50 to 60 people at the end of it. Mine will have 20 full-time and part-time positions,” he said.

While the original plan was to have about nine businesses based in the development, Mr Zaman said this may be cut to about four or five, which would take up larger amounts of floor space.

“It is a very, very beautiful quality building and the more we take out, the better it is looking. We have got interest from bars, restaurants, hairdressers and beauty therapists,” he said.

“We are not looking at national firms, we are looking at local businesses – people looking to relocate or open something new.”

His team has been clearing out the site for several weeks to get it ready for site visits.

A structural engineer is due to report on what work needs to be carried out to make the site safe this week, but Mr Zaman said he anticipated the necessary work being a ‘very straight-forward job’.

He said it was likely that the businesses within the new development would be open to the public from early 2012.

By Chris Burn