Shrewsbury named one of top places to live

The town was dubbed a 'little nirvana' by judges from The Sunday Times newspaper, who named it as one of the top 12 places to live in the Midlands.

The news have been welcomed by tourism bosses and local politicians who said the recognition would help to boost Shrewsbury's economy.

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski described the town as the 'best place to live in the world'.

He said: "I am very unsurprised by this news. Shrewsbury is the best place to live in the world not just the UK.

"Shrewsbury has everything going for it, its culture, its ambiance, and its community spirit."

The Sunday Times announcement follows a string of recent blows to the town including the loss of the Dana prison and the future closure of part of Copthorne Barracks and the Royal Mail sorting office in Castlefields.

Mr Kawczynski, said he hoped the recognition would lead to more businesses investing in the town.

"These closures have been a setback but we have got to focus on the positive, Premier Inn has just invested £9 million and created 46 jobs in the town."

Meanwhile, Michael Connor, chairman of Shrewsbury Tourism Association was also unsurprised at the results of the survey.

He said:"I can well understand why Shrewsbury has been chosen as one of the best places in which to live in the country.

"Visiting and shopping in Shrewsbury is such a pleasant experience with the opportunity to enjoy the mediaeval streets, the handsome buildings, fine churches and the Quarry park and not forgetting the 600 or more individual and independent shops.

"We are so fortunate living in Shrewsbury that we take for granted that we can be in a wild and glorious countryside in two minutes. We also have a respected hospital on our doorstep and are served well by doctors, dentists, fine schools and a central railway station with links all over the county.

"But perhaps the best news is that there is no complacency among Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council who are continually aiming to improve the town centre."

Other towns in the Sunday Times Midlands shortlist included Malvern, in Worcestershire; Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire; Ledbury, in Herefordshire; Abbots Bromley, in Staffordshire; and Hereford.

The judges were looking for the best places to live across the UK and praised Shrewsbury in a number of areas.

The results, which will form part of a two-part guide, looked into an area's transport links, the quality of schools, natural beauty, low crime rates, property prices, cultural life and unemployment figures.

Each area was also assessed on its own individual assets, which included festivals, 'fascinating architecture' or how close it was to an airport.

Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Peter Nutting, said: "I am very pleased the town has been recognised. I have always believed in the town. I was born and bred here. It would be nice to think this recognition will help with the visitor economy

"Anything that raises the profile of Shrewsbury in the Midlands and the rest of the country has got to help."

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live was edited by the newspaper's associate editor and broadcaster, Eleanor Mills.

She is also author of the Beyond the Brochure property column. Best Places to Live will run across two weekends on March 17 and 24. The winner will be announced in the first issue and the guide will reveal the top 10 places in nine regions.

• Local business: Terry Jones solicitors and advocates, Shrewsbury, Telford and Newport