Final look around Shrewsbury's Riverside centre as it closes for good ahead of demolition plans

It has been home to dwindling numbers of traders as the council moved shops out of the centre ahead of the closure.

It has also been one of the key routes into the town, with many visitors, particularly those parking at Frankwell, using it as a way into the town centre.

The demolition is part of the first phase of Shropshire Council's long-term plans for a major redevelopment of the Riverside and Smithfield Road area of the town – and would be paid for by £19m of 'Levelling Up' money from the government.

The planning application for demolition also asks for permission to create a public park, including pocket gardens, event space and an amphitheatre, along with an accessible ramp, lift and staircase, flood attenuation measures, and consent for temporary meanwhile uses across the site.

As part of the demolition the walkways between Riverside, the Raven Meadows Car Park, and the Darwin Centre will all be knocked down.

The council says the plan will "re-invigorate the area, creating a green and inviting public meeting space and allowing the town to embrace one of its best assets, the River Severn".

The progress on the plans has been welcomed by Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, who has previously hailed the 'transformative' potential of the project.

He said: “We want to create a desirable destination for Shrewsbury’s residents and visitors that is like no other town in the UK.

"This is a transformative and innovative project which will create jobs, bring new investment into the town centre and help grow the county’s economy."

Now the centre is closed the public have been advised that people can take alternative routes to the town centre, via Raven Meadows, The Darwin Shopping Centre and Roushill.

The council added that the lifts from Raven Meadows multi-storey to The Darwin centre can also still be used.

The authority said it would be putting up signs this week showing recommended routes.