Shrewsbury town centre revamp will provide 'huge opportunities for commercial development', says leader
A council leader says ambitious plans for a major redevelopment of a town centre will provide "huge opportunities for commercial development".
Shropshire Council this week agreed to go out to consultation on a proposals for a huge transformation of the Smithfield and Riverside areas of Shrewsbury.
The development could see most of the current area demolished and replaced with new squares, a riverside area, and Smithfield Road re-routed.
Now the council's leader, Councillor Peter Nutting, has spoken of the potential impact the project could have on the town.
Councillor Nutting said he wants to attract commercial opportunities, hospitality and residential developments
He said: "This is going to offer huge opportunities for commercial development in the town, and we are particularly interested in hospitality, hotel groups, and there’s going to be a good deal of residential development amongst everything we do.
"We’re going to transform this part of town. Most of the buildings around here were built in the 1960s and they’re looking tired and sad, and we do need to change things around.
"One of the key developments is going to be trying to move Smithfield Road away from the river so we can have a lot of riverside development. In Shrewsbury, we have tended to turn our back on the river and we’re going to do the opposite.
'Wonderful'
"Now we’re going to really make use of the river as part of our development plans as we go forward.
"Shrewsbury is a wonderful town, I’ve lived here all my life, but we want to welcome more and more tourists and visitors.
"We’ve got an awful lot to offer, and we think the economic opportunities that presents to all sorts of businesses are really worthwhile, and we really would welcome firms far and wide to come and invest their money in the town."
The 'Strategic Development Framework', the official name for the plan the council will consult on, also proposes providing a "high-quality public realm" along the wider riverside walk, and "creating green links that provide enhanced access to The Quarry".
It suggests the creation of new parks, squares and a new Riverside bridge.
A spokesman for the council said: "It’s intended that development of this area will sustain and enhance the economic, social and environmental performance of Shrewsbury town centre, and increase its attractiveness to businesses, to investors and developers, to residents and to visitors, whether for leisure, tourism, culture or to work."
