Shropshire Star

Expansion plans to cut queues as Attingham Park visitor numbers increase

The number of visitors to Shropshire's Attingham Park has grown to such an extent that managers are planning to extend the life of a temporary reception building erected to cut queues.

Published

A decade ago annual visitor numbers at the National Trust estate near Shrewsbury were under 130,000.

But extended opening hours, the restoration of the estate's walled garden and mansion and a new playing field have seen annual visitor numbers soar to more than 370,000.

The increase in visitors has increased pressure on the site's facilities, and staff have been attempting to make improvements to cater for the increased numbers, such as resurfacing the car park and building new toilets.

Last year a temporary visitor reception was built next to the car park, ahead of plans for a permanent new entrance by 2019.

The previous visitor entrance had been in the same area as the shop, with shared tills leading to long queues.

Now, visitors are greeted in a welcome centre next to the car park, and the plan is for this to remain for the next three years.

Mark Agnew, general manager, said: "The temporary building was carefully designed so that it didn't have any negative impact on the area, and so that the view of the historic stables was not obscured.

"Once it opened, the change was welcomed by visitors, with feedback showing that as a separate building, it offered a friendlier welcome, with staff having more space and time to help visitors plan their day.

"With this new building proving to be a major improvement for visitors, staff at Attingham have entered a planning request to extend the temporary building and to retain it for longer than the three years originally permitted.

"Extending the building will help staff and volunteers to 'fast-track' National Trust members on their visit, and with a few extra years, the team will be able to ensure that the permanent structure they hope to create in 2019 will be the perfect solution for giving visitors a fantastic start to their day.

"Whilst the planning for this continues, the team will focus their activities on new visitor toilets and a major upgrade to Attingham's catering facilities."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.