Wraps coming off £10.5m Shrewsbury Music Hall facelift

Workers were on site yesterday pulling down the scaffolding from the front of the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, the former Music Hall, as part of the efforts to get the building ready for its official opening in late 2013.

Scaffolding had been due to come down this autumn but the job was put back as the project was hit by further delays.

The museum had initially been due to open by the end of 2011, but has been hit by major problems after structural problems were discovered inside the Vaughan's Mansion section of the site.

Scaffolding has been up around the site since July 2010, when work was first getting started on the scheme.

Officials insist that, despite the delays, the scheme remains within its £10.5 million budget and will be a big tourist attraction.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council cabinet member with responsibilities for culture and tourism, said: "The scaffolding surrounding the new Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery is now being taking down and it is anticipated that all scaffolding will be removed by December 21.

"The ex-Music Hall complex has been undergoing major restoration work to repair and preserve the buildings prior to the development of a new museum and art gallery, and tourist information centre.

"There is still some work to be done as it's such an ambitious and involved project.

"We are really excited at how the new museum and art gallery will look, and things are now certainly starting to come together," he added.

"We want all our visitors to be inspired to explore and discover more of the heritage of Shrewsbury and Shropshire and our new museum, a much-welcomed addition to our town's tourist attractions will offer them the opportunity to do this.

"Another very special addition to the original one-off Shrewsbury."

Once completed, the grade II listed building will also feature a visitor centre, cafe, bistro and shops.

By Chris Burn