The announcement that £18 million of Levelling Up funding is on its way to Shrewsbury signifies the start of an exciting period for the town.
The funding bid submitted by Shropshire Council, supported by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, means practical work can start on the redevelopment of the Smithfield Riverside area, along with transport, active travel and public realm improvements near the train station.
The Big Town Plan Partnership welcomes this fantastic news which means practical progress can be made on these projects, which are integral to the successful future of the town centre.
Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents Shrewsbury Town Council on the Big Town Plan Partnership, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the funding bid, which will bring great prospects for economic, social and cultural regeneration in Shrewsbury and the wider hinterland.
“In the meantime, the town-wide movement strategy commissioned by the Big Town Plan Partnership is progressing well, which we are looking forward to sharing for detailed discussion and extensive consultation later this year.
“The aim of the movement strategy is to consider creative and innovative ways of improving and enhancing access to the town, and will be crucial to all future development in the town centre.”
Councillor Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s representative on the Big Town Plan Partnership, said: “These are exciting times for Shrewsbury and Shropshire, with so much positive work having already taken place to develop the Big Town Plan, which was an integral part of the funding bid.
“The overall priorities of the Big Town Plan, along with the movement strategy currently being developed, will feed into the plans for Smithfield Riverside and the train station, as well as wider developments across the town centre.
“We look forward to working closely with partners to move these proposals forward, which will not only revitalise key areas of the town centre but bring a new lease of life into the county as a whole, attracting new investment and tourism to Shropshire.”
Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, which represents businesses on the Big Town Plan Partnership, said regenerating the town centre and improving transport links would encourage inward investment into Shrewsbury.
He said: “The Levelling Up funding is a huge boost for the town, and will allow a number of exciting initiatives to move forward.
“We look forward to working with our partners to help ensure that the new development coming forward in the town centre supports and compliments the Shrewsbury business community.”
