Market hall to get £1m new look

A north Shropshire market hall is set to undergo a £1 million facelift which councillors say will put the town "on the map."

Ellesmere Market Hall will receive the long-awaited makeover, paid for with a share of the £13 million saved when Shropshire Council was set up.

Funds for the scheme have already been ring-fenced by Shropshire Council, members of Ellesmere Town Council heard last night.

The project would see the hall in Scotland Street refurbished and a new floor put in. The library and Infolink office would be relocated there.

A cafe, improved disabled access and meeting rooms would also be included.

Councillor Ann Hartley, a town councillor and member of Shropshire Council's ruling cabinet, said the project would put the town "on the map".

"We saved £13 million by forming a unitary authority so now we have had a very good capital programme announced and voted on," added Councillor Hartley.

"The Ellesmere community has been recognised for working very hard for the refurbishment of the market hall and £1 million has been earmarked for Ellesmere in the next two financial years."

Councillor Pat McLaughlin said: "The market hall group is absolutely over the moon about it."