Long-term future of civic centre is in doubt

Whitchurch Civic Centre has been closed since September

The long-term future of a civic centre is in doubt after the discovery of crumbling concrete and asbestos, councillors warned.

Whitchurch mayor Andy Hall said the building was in a "critical situation" after a survey by Shropshire Council uncovered "serious structural issues" due to Raac and asbestos.

"We don't want to sugar coat it, it's not good," he added.

Shropshire Council said a decision on the centre's future will be taken in January.

The building was closed at short notice in September, and the following survey confirmed it cannot reopen unless the issues are fixed.

Cabinet member for housing and assets, Dean Carroll, said all options were open for the building's future.

He told BBC Radio Shropshire the authority would need to take an "informed and long-term decision", based on "a cost-benefit analysis".

Dean Carroll is the councillor responsible for Shropshire Council assets

Mr Carroll restated the authority's commitment to keeping library and registrar services in the town.

"We're hopeful of having a short-term, temporary solution in place quickly. We're treating that as a priority," he said.

The adjacent market hall will continue to operate and Mr Carroll said he was "reassured" other community facilities could offer a home to groups like martial arts clubs and slimming groups.

However, plans to bring a driving test centre back to Whitchurch are on hold.

'Booked out day and night'

Mr Hall said so many groups had been affected by the closure because of the town council's success in attracting users.

"We've done so much work to get that building busy, and it does affect so many community groups because every room is booked out, day and night, seven days a week," the mayor said.

The centre was previously refurbished a decade ago, in what was billed as a project to create a "multi-use community facility fit for the 21st Century".