Petition launched to protect a town's landmark

Huw Rees can see the New Market Buildings from his flat on the High Street

A petition has been launched calling for a Grade II-listed landmark to be brought back to life.

The New Market Buildings, which is the tower and adjoining building at the top of High Street in Bridgnorth, has fallen into disrepair.

Resident Huw Rees, who started the petition, is calling on Shropshire Council to put pressure on the private owners to carry out repairs or issue a Compulsory Purchase Order to bring the building into public ownership.

The council has said it is aware of the issues relating to the listed building and is in contact with the owners.

The building previously hosted the Childhood and Costume Museum

"There are no windows, no doors, masonry is falling onto the ground below and the guttering is totally blocked," Mr Rees said.

"It looks nothing like it used to, it's a mess.

"It's a listed building so it should be protected ... It might legally belong to the owners but it belongs to the people of Bridgnorth."

Planning approval was granted in 2014 to turn the building into a 33-bed hotel and restaurant but construction has not yet commenced.

Historic England granted the building Grade II listed status in 1987 due to its "architectural quality" and "significant presence" in Bridgnorth.

The building was completed in1859 as a market hall for the town's street traders, most of whom wanted to remain in the open-air market square so refused to move.

Authorities tried to force them inside by instructing police to confiscate produce and on one occasion the chief magistrate rode his horse over the stalls, according to Historic England.

Ten traders took the council to court and won their case due to a medieval charter, which protected the market place from interference of the local authority.

The New Market Buildings is situated on part of the old castle moat

Several businesses still occupy the ground floor, including Costa Coffee, but large parts of the building remain vacant.

Shropshire Council said it was aware of the issues concerning the building.

"We are in contact with the owner and are continuing to seek to persuade them to fulfil their obligations to repair and maintain it."

The BBC has attempted to get in contact with the building's owners.