Shrewsbury's new shopping mall 'key to future investment'

The arrival of a new £150 million shopping centre in Shrewsbury heralds the beginning of further investment into the town, the leader of Shropshire Council claimed today.

Councillor Keith Barrow said that the arrival of the New Riverside complex should bring 'great benefits' to Shrewsbury and lead to further 'quality investments' in the town.

"This is a crucial time for our market towns in Shropshire, and this development will deliver great benefits including new business units, and increase the footfall through the whole of Shrewsbury town centre, improving the area for shoppers and local businesses alike," he said.

"This development is the first of a number of key projects within the town as part of the Shrewsbury Vision Regeneration Framework which seeks to deliver quality investments resulting in new jobs and a vibrant town centre." His comments follow planning permission for the scheme being granted by Shropshire Council's central area planning committee last week.

Councillors have given the go-ahead for a scheme that will see the existing Riverside centre demolished, with the new mall including links to the Pride Hill and Darwin centres, which will also be refurbished.

When completed, it will include a new department store as well as 60 major new shops and restaurants, along with new office space.

Councillor Barrow added : "Over 450 jobs will be created during the construction period, with a further 150 retail jobs.

"I look forward to the creation of this development and the boost it will give Shropshire," he said.

The new centre, which is to be built entirely with private finance, is scheduled to open in autumn 2015.