Big demand for tours of Shrewsbury's former Dana Prison
More than 4,000 people have taken a look around Shrewsbury's former prison in the first month since public tours were launched, it has been revealed.
Bosses behind Jailhouse Tours at the Dana Prison today hailed the attraction's "unprecedented success" – and admitted they had not expected such a high level of demand.
Plans are also in place for tunnel tours to give people the chance to see the Georgian prison from below, and a Zombie Run at Halloween.
It's become such a draw that actor James Nesbitt is on site this week, filming for Sky 1 drama Lucky Man – which will air early next year.
Jailhouse Tours started its 12-month lease operating the prison and hosting its tours of the historic building at the start of August.
Joel Campbell, who owns the tour business, said he was thrilled with the response the tours have had in the first month.
"We knew the tours were going to be popular but we didn't imagine this level of demand," he said.
"We had planned to do three tours a day, five days a week, but instead we've been doing four tours a day seven days a week.
"We knew there would be an initial surge but we didn't think it would be this busy."
He added: "There's even more going on here too and more lined up in the coming weeks and months."
The prison has also hosted paranormal groups since Jailhouse Tours started operating the site.
Jailhouse Tours has the lease on the site for 12 months, but Mr Campbell has said he wants his company to remain at the site for "as long as possible".
He said: "We now consider our base to be at the Dana and I've moved my family up here too, so ultimately I do want us to be here as long as possible.
"If the site is free once our lease is up I would want to extend the lease month on month.
"I'm just delighted with the public's response. It's been fantastic but it has been surprising for us too because with this not being done before you just can't predict it.
"We've seen us shoot up to number three from 99 in the 'Things to do in Shrewsbury' on TripAdvisor which is great.
"We're now eyeing up that top spot," he added.
Trevor Osborne, chairman of the Osborne Property Group which bought the prison last year, has previously said that he wants to transform the site into Shrewsbury's walled garden.
Previously the developer said he intended to submit an outline planning application for a "mixed use site"within the next few months.
Mr Osborne said he intends to convert the cell blocks into student accommodation, while the rest of the site will be made up of other accommodation and potentially a gymnasium.
