Stunning Shrewsbury church applies for licence to sell alcohol at live music events

The Grade I-listed church, a stone's throw from the English Bridge, has held several non-religious events before including concerts by Shrewsbury-born singer/songwriter Dan Owen, a Taylor Swift orchestral tribute show and Abbeyfest - a charity beer, gin and food festival to raise money for the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre.

A public notice for the licence application said: "An application for a premises licence has been made by The Parish of the Holy Cross in respect of premises known as Shrewsbury Abbey, situated at Abbey Foregate Shrewsbury.

"The application is as follows: retail sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment including plays, live music, recorded music and dance. Monday to Sunday 8am to 10.30pm.

"Any person wishing to make representations must do so in writing to the licensing team on [email protected] or to Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND within 28 days from the date of this notice.

"Application details, guidance on making a representation and a form which may be used to submit representations can be found on the council's website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/licensing/current-licence-applications-in- consultation, or at the address during normal office hours by arrangement with the licensing team."

The Abbey was founded in 1083 as a Benedictine monastery by the Norman Earl of Shrewsbury, Roger de Montgomery.

It grew to be one of the most important and influential abbeys in England, and an important centre of pilgrimage.

Although much of the Abbey was destroyed in the 16th century, the nave survived as a parish church, and today serves as the mother church for the Parish of Holy Cross.

The Abbey is a member of the Greater Churches Group.