Regeneration of landmark Wellington town centre building begins with plans for nine new flats
Work is underway to transform a prominent town centre building.
The regeneration of a historic and prominent building on Walker Street in the centre of Wellington has started, with scaffolding erected and the site closed off.
Built around 1908, over the years it has had many uses, including as a child welfare centre and midwife centre, and was used by St Johns Ambulance.
The YMCA bought the building in 1920 and subsequently used it for several uses, including a gymnastics hall, billiards rooms and a soup kitchen.
More recently, the building has been home to various retail companies and a dance and fitness studio. Until a few months ago, the ground floor was occupied by Age UK as a charity shop.
The first and second floors of the property have been standing empty for more than 15 years.
Despite its age and prominence, the building is not listed and has not been classified as a building of local interest - but does sit within the Wellington Conservation area.
In September last year, Telford & Wrekin Council revealed plans to regenerate the property and bring the full building back into active use.
The council said the funding for the project was secured by the authority in 2019 as part of the national Town’s Fund Initiative.
The work will see the upper floors renovated to deliver nine new apartments, while the ground floor is undergoing a refurbishment.
The council previously stated they hoped to create a commercial space "ideal for a potential restaurant to support the nighttime economy".
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