End of the road for Shrewsbury's Shirehall as Shropshire Council agrees to sell former headquarters

Shropshire Council's cabinet has agreed for Shrewsbury's Shirehall to be put up for sale.

The Abbey Foregate building, the council’s former headquarters, closed to the public last year.

It is currently empty and costs the cash-strapped council an estimated £400,000 a year.

The future of the 1960s building has long been a contentious issue, with opposition parties and a vocal campaign group attempting to save it.

Back in 2021 the council was successful in securing protected status for the building which meant it could not be listed, which would have hugely limited potential plans for the site.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that an independent report commissioned to look at the future of Shirehall was recommending its sale.

A cabinet meeting was held on Tuesday morning (July 14) where councillors had been advised to sell the building and the land it sits on.

Following a lengthy debate lasting nearly three hours, members approved the recommendation.

“Continuing to pay money for nothing is no longer an option," said council leader, Heather Kidd.

“After years of poor financial management under the Conservatives, Shropshire’s residents expect the Lib Dems to get a grip on the council’s finances – and that’s exactly what we are doing."