Row erupts over ‘endangered’ Shropshire building as council considers enforcement

Shropshire Council said it is considering enforcement action to help save an endangered building in Bridgnorth.

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Last week, the Grade II listed New Market Building in Bridgnorth was added to the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings for 2026.

Shropshire Council said it welcomed the intervention of the society, whose president is actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones.

Read more: ‘Delight’ as comedian and author Griff Rhys Jones backs campaign to save dilapidated Bridgnorth building

In a statement, the council said that it “welcomes” the intervention of the society and said it is considering legal action against the owner of the building.

“As the Society points out, responsibility for the care and maintenance remains with the absentee private owner, who unfortunately has a demonstrated record of failing to do so,” the council said.

“The council’s Building Control team had to intervene in 2018, incurring significant public expense to make the building safe and project the public.

“The owner subsequently failed to complete the repairs following this action and the condition of the building continues to deteriorate as a result.

“Whilst remaining very mindful of the need to limit any further public expenditure, Shropshire Council is therefore once again having to actively consider using its discretionary statutory powers to pursue enforcement action, and is working with Historic England, councillors and local stakeholders to find a resolution for this building.”

However, local town and unitary councillors in Bridgnorth have said they have been shut out of conversations regarding the much-talked about building and have called fore a “united approach”.

Reform’s Peter Husemann whose district includes New Market Hall, alongside fellow councillors Susan Eden and Dawn Husemann, leader of the Reform Group, said they met with representatives of Bridgnorth Town Council on April 17 to open discussions on a way forward focused on preservation, transparency, and realistic delivery options that will benefit Bridgnorth.

However, the councillors said they discovered conversations about the New Market Hall had already begun “without proper engagement with the local unitary councillors or town council”.

The Reform councillors said this was “unacceptable”.

Councillor Peter Husemann said: “This is Bridgnorth’s building. It sits in the centre of our High Street and in the story of our town. That is why it must be led locally – by the councillors that residents elected and the Town Council must have direct and early input.

“This should not be directed from Shrewsbury. We will keep pushing for openness, joined-up working and a clear plan that protects the New Market Hall and delivers real improvements for local people.”

Councillor Husemann said she has now arranged a meeting on May 11 to bring officers, the relevant portfolio holder, the local elected Unitary councillor(s) and Bridgnorth Town Council together.

Councillor Dawn Husemann, Leader of the Reform group, said: “People in Bridgnorth want straight answers and local say-so.

“We’re calling on the administration and the relevant portfolio holder to stop shutting out Bridgnorth’s elected representatives and the Town Council, and to start working openly, cross-party, in the best interests of our town. No more backroom conversations—put Bridgnorth first and work with us to save the New Market Hall.”

Shropshire Council has been asked for further comment.