Ghost towns in fight back

High streets and large villages across Shropshire are turning into "ghost towns" as recession-hit shops and pubs are forced to close, it was revealed today.

But business leaders refuse to be beaten and are fighting back with scores of initiatives. Councillor John Murray, a member of Wem Town Council and owner of The Treacle Mine in High Street, said the area was in danger of becoming a ghost town.

He said empty shops and a tough financial situation were taking their toll and not enough people were visiting the town.

"There are empty shops in Wem and a lot of the shopkeepers are finding it rather difficult and tough," he said.

"I think it's in danger of becoming a ghost town because we haven't got a lot here to offer people. Tourists don't seem to spill into the town, we are not getting the visitors we should."

Simon Airey, of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said they had concerns about villages such as Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, which has suffered the loss of a number of facilities including The Fox pub which is currently boarded up.

But he said problems in the pub industry appeared to be different to those affecting shops.

Nick Taylor, of Shropshire Council, said the authority was working with Advantage West Midlands on a new market towns initiative, which will offer a package of economic support to the market towns of Ellesmere, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Whitchurch.

Mr Taylor said: "Providing support for the county's market towns and for local businesses is a key priority for the council, particularly during the current economic downturn which is affecting towns throughout the county."

Dave Riley, president of Wellington Chamber, said like many market towns Wellington had suffered, but he said multi-million pound investment meant Wellington was set to "drive its economy out of recession".

Mark Freeman, Newport Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: "We are doing OK. There have not been so many closures recently. It's a positive attitude, I think Newport is fighting.

"We are by no means a ghost town. There is lots of optimism in Newport and it is holding its own."