Dana prison bidder could be announced in days

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said the identity of the bidder for the former prison in Shrewsbury could be announced in the next seven to 10 days by the commercial property agent GVA. He said he wants to know what the bidder's plans are as soon as possible.

Mr Kawczynski said: "The successful bidder will be announced shortly. I want to know the pedigree and history of this bidder of buying government buildings, and successfully transforming listed and historic buildings. I want to know their credentials.

"I don't want a scenario like the Riverside Shopping Centre where a company has bought it and sat on it.

"I want to know what their plans are and what support they need."

GVA , the company managing the potentially multi-million pound sale, met Ministry of Justice officials last month to put forward the various proposals they have received from interested parties.

They included plans from county businessman Martin Monahan, who runs the nearby Buttermarket nightclub and The Peach Tree restaurant and C21 night spot in Abbey Foregate - but these plans were rejected and an anonymous bidder was accepted.

Mr Kawczynski said: "This is an extremely important site in Shrewsbury right in one of the most important areas of the town.

"It is important it is transformed into something good for Shrewsbury which will create jobs.

"I would love to meet with the bidders and just find out what their plans are. If they are plans the community are going to back then full steam ahead."

The prison closed in spring last year as part of a Government programme to shut ageing and expensive jails, with more than 200 staff either taking redundancy or moving to other prisons in the region.