Businessman's colleges plea
A Shrewsbury businessman is to launch a petition against the co-location of the town's two main colleges, which he claims would hit trade for town centre businesses. A Shrewsbury businessman is to launch a petition against the co-location of the town's two main colleges, which he claims would hit trade for town centre businesses. Simon Turner, who owns Subs sandwich bar and the Coffee Shop on Market Street, said he could be forced to make staff redundant if Shrewsbury College and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College went ahead with plans to operate side-by-side at London Road. He said much of his livelihood depended on youngsters from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. He feared that would be wiped out if the college moved out of the town centre. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A Shrewsbury businessman is to launch a petition against the co-location of the town's two main colleges, which he claims would hit trade for town centre businesses.
Simon Turner, who owns Subs sandwich bar and the Coffee Shop on Market Street, said he could be forced to make staff redundant if Shrewsbury College and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College went ahead with plans to operate side-by-side at London Road.
He said much of his livelihood depended on youngsters from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College.
He feared that would be wiped out if the college moved out of the town centre.
"Between 30 to 40 per cent of our trade is generated by students. This would have a big impact on it," he said.
Bill Dowell, principal of the Sixth Form College, said the colleges needed to speak with traders in the town's west end.
He said: "It clearly is a concern for the governors that young people could move out of the town centre.
"I think this is a period of great change for the centre of Shrewsbury."
But Mr Dowell said the responsibility for the future of the town centre lay with the borough and county councils.
