Bid to be launched for millions of pounds to boost Oswestry and Shrewsbury town centres

Shropshire Council's cabinet ratified a report on Wednesday that chose to put forward Oswestry and Shrewsbury as the Shropshire towns that will bid for a portion of the £675 million Future High Streets Fund.

The objective of the fund is to renew and re-shape town centres and high streets, improve experience, ensure sustainability and drive growth.

The authority decided to put forward the two towns after inviting bids from town and parish councils across Shropshire.

Reacting to the news, county councillor for Oswestry Vince Hunt admitted the high street would never return to what it once was, but said the money would allow the area to develop something different.

He said: "It is great news for Oswestry to go for a slice of the money.

"There has been so many groups doing good work on the high street in recent years, but the high street will never return to what it once was.

Innovative

"Those days have gone, you won't see high street chains coming to cities some times never mind Oswestry.

"You need to be innovative and come up with different ideas, and hopefully this money will be secured and it will allow the town to do that.

"There needs to be a good atmosphere in the town, so people want to come and stay in Oswestry and a number of independent retailers have already done a good job of doing that.

Both towns are expected to receive between £5m and £10m, but the amount could rise to up to £25m.

A panel made up of independent Shropshire business leaders said Oswestry’s proposal was well written and showed good creative thinking on using new environmental technology in the town.

They noted that Shrewsbury had support from wider partners and added that there had been various independent successes that could be built upon.

Whitchurch also put forward a bid to be considered for the second round of funding in 2020.