Works continue to bring historic canal building in Newport back into community use

The town council has taken on the building to ensure it is in a suitable condition for those who are using it.

Several repairs and upgrades have already been completed including the installation of new lights and electrics, and it's hoped that the building's floor and roof can be replaced next.

Built in around 1840, the black shed used to be part of a once-busy canal wharf, which itself was built on the former medieval fishery that made Newport famous. 

And, now the historic landmark is the only building left standing from the town's wharf.

For decades it has been used as storage, having been utilised by Newport in Bloom, the Newport and Shrewsbury Canal Trust and the local history society.

The town council is continuing with a series of works to ensure its preservation and has submitted a request for planning permission for work to the roof.

Projects and Services Officer at Newport Town Council, Ola Zbroszczyk has led the project, and is excited to see the shed returned to community use.

She said: "The town council took on the black shed from Telford & Wrekin Council to ensure that it is in a good state of repair for the community groups that were using the space.

"So far new lights have been fitted and the electrics have been upgraded ensuring a safer working environment for groups such as the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust.

"The sliding doors on the left side have been repaired to make it easier for groups such as Newport in Bloom, the History Society, the Carnival committee and Newport Rotary Lite to access the building. "e are working closely with stakeholders to put new flooring inside as the old timber floor is rotting away.

"The roof needs some work and planning has been submitted. We are hoping to complete this work by the end of the summer.

"Future plans also include looking at ways in which we can make the ticket office to the side of the building back into use for the community. We are also looking at improvements to the office space in the black shed to preserve the historical nature of the space."