£100,000 Wem town square is nearing completion

Wem's new £100,000 town square could be officially unveiled this month.

Shropshire Council says work is due to be completed next week and has remained on budget. The town square, which will have taken about six weeks to complete, has been created at the lorry park between the Co-op and White Lion pub. It has received a mixed reaction.

Some people say it will breathe new life into the town, others say it is a waste of money.

Supporters also believe it will give Wem a new venue for outdoor events such as car boot sales and farmers' markets.

Town councillor Mandy Meakin said she was pleased to see improvements being made to the area. She said: "It is looking very good.

"I have heard people say they are waiting for it to be vandalised but told them we need to be positive about it."

But Councillor John Murray said the money would have been better spent on an industrial unit, which would have created jobs.

Last year members suggested calling the square Jubilee Place or Diamond Jubilee Place. They also said they wanted a plaque in the square. The project looked in doubt last year after it lost money as part of Shropshire Council cuts.

But at a cabinet meeting at Shirehall in August members agreed to give the project financial backing.

Cabinet member Councillor Simon Jones said: "Work on the town square is due to be completed next week and the work is on budget.

"We hope there will be an official unveiling in mid to late March and this is being looked into by the local councillors."

Councillor Jones hopes the scheme will encourage future development surrounding the square and provide an attractive pedestrian link to new homes in the area.