Oswestry councillors welcome £23,000 grant

Oswestry successfully applied for £23,804 from Shropshire Council, allowing it to continue the Market Town Revitalisation Programme it began last year.

At Oswestry Town Council's meeting last night councillors welcomed the news, and heard that there have already been some enquiries about using the funding.

Oswestry town clerk David Preston, who was responsible for applying for the funding from Shropshire Council, said: "This is a substantial opportunity for the council to bring some life back into the town centre.

"We had £75,000 at the start of the project but we didn't really get any applications until towards the end of the funding period. Shropshire Council clawed back the unused money but we have now successfully applied to have it back to continue the project.

"There are some expressions of interest already and they're working with Shropshire Council's business support team at the moment. They will then put forward a bid and that will go before a panel for approval."

Mr Preston said that he had also applied to top up the fund to £50,000, but that this application had been turned down by Shropshire Council.

The programme was designed to offer grants to help bring empty shop premises back into use and to bring other empty spaces, for example upper levels of shops, back into use with the aim of regenerating the town centre and making it more attractive, customer friendly and welcoming to local businesses and visitors.

So far 15 grants have been provided, totalling just over £51,000.

Town councillors heard that it is hoped the programme will help bring five empty premises back into use and create four new jobs.

Funding decisions will be made by councillors from Shropshire Council and Oswestry Town Council, and the funding levels will be reviewed again after six months.