Wem storytelling museum at risk from sell-off

A former town library which is home to the world's first storytelling museum could be sold off to the highest bidder under plans to raise millions for cash-strapped Shropshire Council.

The Morgan Library in Aston Street, Wem, has been home to Mythstories since 2001. But now it could be sold off by Shirehall bosses, who own the building and lease it to the museum for an annual peppercorn rent of £1.

The proposed sell-off is part of a drive to raise money for protecting council services.

At a meeting of Wem Town Council last week, members saw an e-mail from Shirehall officers indicating that county wants to raise £16 million by selling off more assets this year.

But Dez and Ali Quarrell, who run Mythstories, today said they had not been made aware of Shirehall's intentions, adding that the move could create uncertainty for the museum's long-term future.

Mrs Quarrell said: "The main thing we are concerned about is what it means for our future.

"There have never been any disputes between us and the council and they have always been very supportive so we would have expected them to contact us first of all.

"We want to talk to Shropshire Council so that whatever the outcome, Mythstories continues to benefit Shropshire children because one of the aims we had when we started was to improve literacy in the young. "

Shropshire Council officials were today staying tight-lipped about how much they hope to raise from selling the building but confirmed if it is sold, the sitting tenants would be unaffected for the duration of their lease.

But Mr and Mrs Quarrell said the council's pledge offers them little reassurance because the museum has no fixed term on its lease.

Mrs Quarrell added: "Buying the building would be well beyond the reach of a charity like us."