New students making an early impact on Shrewsbury
The impact of Shrewsbury's new university has been hailed by Shropshire Council two months after it welcomed its first intake of undergraduates.
University Centre Shrewsbury greeted its first undergraduates in September, after nearly two years of planning and preparation to make the institution a reality.
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for University Centre Shrewsbury, said it had breathed life into some of the town's most prominent buildings.
An empty office block at Mardol House has been converted into modern, town centre, student accommodation, the former council offices at Guildhall have been emptied and converted into teaching and office accommodation, and Rowley's House now provides teaching, office space and an information point.
Councillor Wild said: "It's still early days but the arrival of the university centre has already made a positive impact on Shrewsbury. Three notable town centre buildings have been converted and have now started new lives as university buildings, students are living in the town and visiting town centre businesses, and Shrewsbury really is starting to become established as a university town.
"The new accommodation really has breathed life back into one of Shrewsbury's most prominent town centre buildings."
Councillor Wild said she is convinced that the town is starting to see the predicted economic benefits of hosting the university.
She said: "Housing students there is benefitting Shrewsbury's town centre, as they can easily visit the town's many shops, cafes, bars, clubs and other attractions. Local business owners have already commented on the very welcome arrival of students in the town.
"As the university centre grows it will provide a real boost to the Shropshire economy. But, just as importantly it will improve access to higher education for Shropshire-based students, raise the profile of Shropshire, and help to meet the needs of businesses across the county and beyond."
