Paralympian Mickey Bushell to officially open £2.5 million Telford centre
Paralympian gold medallist Mickey Bushell MBE will unveil a plaque this weekend to mark the official opening of a new £2.5 million local centre in Telford.
It will see the official opening of the new-look Hollinswood Local Centre.
The money has been spent on demolishing the old Woodcutter pub and a block of shop and flats.
New shops have been built in its place, with the existing Hollinswood Community Centre also getting a refurbishment.
Mr Bushell, from Telford, who won gold at London 2012 in the T53 100m wheelchair racing, will perform ribbon-cutting duties at 4.30pm on Staurday after a welcome by Councillor Sheenagh Unwin, chairman of Hollinswood & Randlay parish council.
Councillor Unwin said: "Hollinswood & Randlay parish council is proud to have worked with our partners to provide this enhanced area and facilities for the people of our parish and visitors.
"We would like to thank everyone who has worked together to make this happen."
The event coincides with the Hollinswood Christmas Fayre, which runs from 2pm.
There will be speeches by Telford & Wrekin Council deputy leader, Councillor Richard Overton, on working in partnership and the Mayor of Telford and Wrekin, Councillor Rae Evans.
Mr Bushell will then unveil the plaque and Telford MP Lucy Allan will switch on Hollinswood's Christmas lights. The event will conclude with community carol singing featuring Hollinswood Primary School Choir which will be accompanied by Wellington Brass Band.
Councillor Overton said: "This investment has significantly improved the Local Centre in Hollinswood and I am delighted that we can now officially unveil it.
"The scheme has improved Hollinswood's links to the town centre and has provided better access to town centre employment opportunities."
A new activity hub for adults with learning difficulties has also been relocated to the Local Centre.
The regeneration work has also improved car parking, public open spaces and lighting as well as a tidy-up around the underpass.
The plans to revamp Hollinswood were drawn up in response to a profile of The Nedge ward carried out in 2011, which highlighted that the local parish saw the centre of Hollinswood as unattractive, outdated, unsafe and subject to vandalism.
The review also showed that residents felt the physical environment of the centre made it a focus for social and community problems in the area, with growing issues of crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Woodcutter pub closed in August 2014, with demolition starting shortly after that.
