A new public consultation has been launched to help shape the future of one of Shrewsbury’s key gateways.
The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership is asking people to share their views on an area of Abbey Foregate, as plans progress to improve public realm and make the area more welcoming, vibrant and pleasant to spend time in.
The survey will help understand how changes in the Abbey Foregate area, in particular between Abbey Hardware, The Crown and The Abbey opposite can boost the local and visitor experience.
The place improvement forms part of the wider Shrewsbury Moves ‘New Spaces and Places’ programme, which has received government funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It could see new public seating installed, traffic calming measures and some additional outdoor spaces for businesses to use, as well as new secure cycle parking and more. There are no plans to change vehicle access to the area.
This will be surrounded by new planting and greenery to create a new experience within what is already an amazing, historic gateway into the town centre, and efforts to clean and tidy the area. The red phone box in front of the Abbey will be refurbished to preserve it for the future, and a long-term vacant unit will be improved with information boards celebrating the rich history of the area.
People can take part in the survey in one of two ways:
- The Short Survey – takes about 10 minutes to complete online and offers a £25 prize draw for participants
- The Walking Survey – takes around 30 minutes and involves a short, guided walk through Abbey Foregate, asking participants how they feel about the area. Everyone who completes it will be entered into a £100 prize draw to spend in local shops and restaurants
Either visit the link below or scan the QR code on the wayfinder in Abbey Foregate to take part. Both surveys are anonymous and open to anyone who uses or visits the area.
As well as guiding potential changes, the survey will provide a ‘before’ snapshot of community wellbeing and local vibrancy in the area. A follow-up survey will take place after improvements are made, allowing the partnership to measure the impact of features such as more greenery, better seating and pedestrian-friendly routes.
Councillor Rob Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Economic Growth at Shropshire Council, said:
“Asking residents and visitors how they feel about the area, and then again after the interventions are in place is a really good example of the innovative, forward-thinking way we are approaching how people move around our town.
“The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, and the subsequent Movement and Public Space Strategy is about putting people at the heart of the place. Using this type of consultation method demonstrates the importance we are placing on how people feel when they are in areas of Shrewsbury and what we can do to make things even better.”
“This project is about understanding how people experience Abbey Foregate today, so we can make improvements that will contribute to a more vibrant destination for people and support local businesses to thrive,” said Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID.
“By focusing on experience as well as access and design, we can help create a space that feels welcoming to visitors and customers, increasing the amount of time they spend in this key gateway to the town.”
This is the first Big Town Plan Partnership consultation to measure wellbeing in addition to place perceptions and feedback.
Globally, many governments are beginning to measure wellbeing alongside traditional indicators like economic growth – and countries that use this methodology, such as Denmark, Norway and Finland, regularly top global Happiness Index rankings, reflecting policies that value community, environment and quality of life in addition to economic performance.
In the UK, Wales has taken a similar approach through its Well-being of Future Generations Act, which encourages decisions that improve health, happiness and environmental balance as much as financial prosperity.
Among towns of a similar size, Shrewsbury is thought to be the first to measure wellbeing as part of a public realm improvement consultation.
Grant Waters, Co-founder of Tranquil City, who designed the survey, commented on the project:
“There is always a lot of talk about how town centre changes can improve wellbeing. But Shrewsbury is pioneering in that it’ll actually measure the impact the Abbey Foregate project will have on people’s wellbeing.
“This isn’t just about public consultation, it’s about understanding how local people react to a change, and how it can bring positive benefits, such as bringing people to visit the area and increasing the time they spend in the local businesses, as well as how it makes people feel more relaxed, in contact with nature and connected to the community.”
The survey will close to responses on November 20th 2025.
To take part, visit shrewsbury.typeform.com/abbey-foregate
For more information, visit shrewsburymoves.com
