Funeral firm to transform fire-hit Mullins site in Shrewsbury
Work has begun to transform a former heating showroom into a funeral directors – two years after a devastating fire tore through the building.
Up to 50 firefighters battled the blaze at the former Mullins site on London Road, Shrewsbury, in May 2011.
Now the empty building will become an office for Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors, which hopes to officially open the site by the end of the year.
Building work is underway to house a window display of memorial stones, a reception room, three discussion rooms, a room for family tribute, and storage space. There will also be a dedicated ceremony room and chapels of rest, with one dedicated to the military.
The firm's new office will be called Gattensbury House, named after the family who originally erected the building – originally a garage – at the end of the First World War.
The business already has offices on Frankwell in Shrewsbury, as well as in Welshpool and Four Crosses.
Aubrey Kirkham, managing director of the firm, said: "We're really pleased that we've been able to find a suitable location for an additional Shrewsbury office.
He added: "We recently had a number of solar panels installed across our offices and we're really keen to replicate this and further demonstrate our commitment to the environment by having them installed at our London Road office too."
The site has caused controversy since the fire with up to 30 residents objecting to plans for a convenience store creating about 22 jobs. Shrewsbury Town Council also criticised the proposals, which were abandoned.
