Council could be out of rundown HQ within months

Shirehall was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1967

Shropshire Council is hoping to have all departments moved out of its main headquarters in Shrewsbury by the start of the new year.

The Conservative-run authority said the 1960s building had "functionally, economically and technically" failed as a civic hub for Shropshire.

There are plans to relocate council services to the Guildhall in the town centre until new offices are built as part of the Riverside development.

Councillors will be asked to approve those plans next week, to begin the process of vacating Shirehall from as early as November.

The council said the move was part of its plan to make the authority “modern, efficient and financially sustainable,” adding that Shirehall was a building four times bigger than was required.

About 250 staff currently use the building as a base, down from about 1,000 prior to the pandemic.

The future of the site is yet to be decided, but the council confirmed that developers had shown interest in the land, although its estimated value will remain confidential.

A move to the Guildhall was "a fortuitous opportunity," claimed council leader Lezley Picton, after the University of Chester moved out earlier this year over a row about rent.

Shirehall is outside of Shrewsbury town centre on Abbey Foregate

“Shirehall is very costly to run,” said Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for housing and assets.

"We're spending around £1.3m a year on maintenance.

“To become the council we need to be, we no longer need an administrative base the size of Shirehall and as many staff work in a hybrid way, this offers greater scope to make savings."

The top three floors of Shirehall are no longer in use following changes to building regulations after the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The cost of refurbishing Shirehall is estimated to exceed £50m.

Councillor Dean Carroll said Shirehall was "a horrible working environment"

Shrewsbury Civic Society has led a campaign to save the building by pointing out its historical and architectural merits.

"A building of this much cultural value should be preserved," said Martina Chamberlain, chair of the society's planning committee.

"It is one of the most important 20th Century buildings in Shropshire."

The council has said that Lord Hill's Column will remain where it is, with a park or other public space separating the iconic monument from any future development.

Councillors will vote on plans to leave Shirehall when at a meeting next Thursday.