Major Shropshire museum could be set to move from its historic home to new site

Town councillors in Bridgnorth are to discuss moving the town’s museum from its current location to a new site.

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Last month, the town council held discussion with Bridgnorth Historical Society, which runs the museum in the town’s historic Northgate building.

The town council, in its Community Strategic Plan and draft budget, are exploring alternative, sustainable uses for the landmark building in High Town.

Northgate was restored in 1910, but the building can trace its roots back to the 13th century as it is the last surviving remnant of the town's five original medieval town gates.

The town council had proposed moving the museum from Northgate to Bridgnorth Library in Listley Street, but following discussions with Bridgnorth Historical Society, concerns were raised regarding the space available for the collection, security of artefacts, restrictions on opening arrangements, particularly Sundays and Bank Holidays, the loss of the museum's historic setting and uncertainty regarding the future of library services.

The museum's collection features over 5,000 local historical items and artifacts detailing the history of Bridgnorth and South Shropshire.

The town council said it will still investigate moving the library, but in a report to councillors ahead of a town council meeting next Tuesday, it has now offered an alternative location of the council annexe.

The annexe, which sits alongside 18th century College House in St Leonard’s Close, used to function as the town’s former library.

It is currently used for town council and committee meetings, with occasional daytime meetings. As a result, the building remains unoccupied for much of the time.

In its report to councillors, Bridgnorth Town Council said: “Given the concerns raised regarding relocation to Bridgnorth Library, discussion turned to whether the Historical Society would be prepared to consider alternative locations. Although there was some initial reluctance, members of the society acknowledged the value of remaining open to other possibilities.

“Against this background, the potential use of the Council Annexe was raised as an option for consideration.”

It went on: “The potential relocation of the museum provides an opportunity to make more effective use of an existing council asset, bringing the building into more regular public use rather than retaining it primarily for periodic meetings.”