Oswestry street in empty shops campaign being revitalised

Oswestry's Cross Street has been blighted by empty shops, leading to a campaign by the last three town mayors to encourage the landlords of the empty buildings, many of whom live away from the area, to take action.

And the campaign is now starting to bear fruit as one new shop opened last week and progress has been made on two more empty shops.

The new shop, Athena's Artisans, was opened by the mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Peter Cherrington.

The shop is being run by Suzzanne Neale, who said she hopes local people - and particularly ladies - will want to participate in the venture.

She said: "All the products sold in the shop will be provided by local artists, artisans and craftsmen and woman from the Shropshire area.

"The shop is split into small sections, like a boutique shop, with each section displaying a different person's items.

"I'm hoping it will become a place that people will come to if they're looking for a unique gift or a bespoke item."

Cllr Cherrington said: "It's great to see a new shop opening up in Cross Street, especially such a big shop as this one.

"It's going to be an opportunity for first timers to get their work on display in the town. They pay £10 per week, and then of course if they sell their work they've made a bit of money back.

"The thing I like about it is that doing painting and art and colouring is very relaxing and if you're under any kind of pressure or feeling stressed it's a really good thing for you to do.

"The shop won't be in competition with the Willow Gallery, it's more for the ordinary painter and beginners. No matter how professional you are, that's the place to put your stuff it you want to get more well known."

Workmen have also been sprucing up the former Be-Wise shop with a view to letting it out later this year.

Cllr Cherrington said he was pleased to see progress being made on the building, which was last used as a shop in 2004.

He said: "The tree in the roof which was growing in the middle of the shop has gone and they've got machines in to dry out the whole place. Now we're looking towards starting work inside the shop. We'll see how it goes.

"It's a massive building in the centre of the town. It's two storeys and a cellar. It's almost difficult to remember back to 2004 when it was open.

"We're looking forward to some progress in the very near future, and myself and the town clerk are attending a meeting with the developers next week."

And surveyors have also been seen in the former Dorothy Perkins shop making notes on what work needs to be done.