'It had become an eyesore' - Temporary banners to promote town are installed at vacant unit to improve appearance
A vacant shop unit that had become an "eyesore" in a North Shropshire town has received a temporary makeover to improve its appearance.
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Market Drayton Town Council has worked in partnership with landlords and Halls estate agents to install branding and banners on the windows of the old B&M store off Frogmore Road.
The discount chain moved into the former Homebase store behind Lidl off Frogmore Road in 2019.
As a result, its former shop unit has sat vacant since, and is for sale with Halls Estate Agents for £900,000 or available at £80,000 per annum.
Banners on the windows promote different places to visit and things to do in the town, and it's hoped the vacant unit is now easier on the eye for visitors on residents.
Chair of the services and facilities committee at Market Drayton Town Council, Tim Manton said: "The shop has been empty for years. It was the old B&M.
"The unit is vacant and over the years it has become worse and unsightly. Seemingly the agent hasn't done anything about it.
"It was a definitely an eyesore in the town and the concern was the location of the unit. It is a main part of Market Drayton. It is next door to the Town Hall, over the road from the Festival Drayton Centre.
"A fair few people driving through Market Drayton are greeted with this eyesore of a vacant shop and nobody wants to see vacant shops in their town shops. They are the demise of many town centre's.
"We picked up on that and it is on the back of the report that we had commissioned by the Retail Group that recommended temporarily dressing up empty shop frontages. So that is what we have done with the old B&M.
"We have gone out of our way to enhance the building and make it look a lot better and welcoming, but install messages that advertise an promote Market Drayton and what is happening.
"I am delighted with the finished effect of it.
However, despite the move, civic leaders are desperate to see the empty unit filled.
In March, Scarborough-based and family-owned department store group W Boyes & Co Ltd opened its first store in the county inside the former Wilkos shop - opposite the old B&M store.
"It is important to say that it isn't about the graphics," councillor Manton added. "It is about getting that premises occupied.
"What we ultimately want is a business in there. We will be giving the agent every assistance we can to make that happen.
"The quicker that premises can get filled, tomorrow would be great for me, we will get all of the graphics off and a new retail unit there.
"But, in the meantime it has brightened the town up and made it look a lot better from a vacant shop that was an eyesore."
