Council considers retaining former HQ

Shropshire Council moved to the Guildhall to save money

Shropshire Council is considering a return to its former headquarters, less than a year after it moved out.

The authority moved from 1960s-built Shirehall in Shrewsbury to the Guildhall in Frankwell, and said doing so would save up to £600,000 per year.

At a meeting on Wednesday, cabinet member for finance Roger Evans said the Liberal Democrats, who lead the council, had paused the demolition and sale of the land, and may retain parts of the building - but only if it could afford to do so.

"We would like to retain the council chamber and some of the associated buildings, but we do need to take account for the cost both in cash terms and in net zero terms," he said.

"What we have done is paused this decision and asked experts to look at it again, look at the whole site, do a reappraisal. The results are just now being recieved.

"I want to keep it as much as we can afford, both environmentally and cash-wise. Whether we can or not will depend... the council is strapped for cash."

Much of the Shirehall was built in the 1960s

Council leader Heather Kidd said the results of the reappraisal would go before a council meeting in December.

Evans said the authority wanted to make decisions on the site in conjunction with the public and residents in Shropshire, adding that he was aware it was an iconic building.

"To bring the Shirehall up to the level workers have a right to expect will cost a lot of money, will need a lot of work and consequentially a lot of carbon will be generated in carrying out the work," he said.

"Rather than flatten the site, we've paused it, we're going to look at it, and we will be seeking views, hopefully.

"We're here for four years, and I hope it will not be like it is now, in four years time."