North Shropshire civic centre revamp is hit by latest hitch

The update of the civic centre in High Street, Whitchurch, was due to start this month but the scheme was delayed when a 100-name petition against the plans was submitted.

And now project leaders have said there are problems with asbestos and fire exit regulations.

The scheme to create a new facade, redesigned foyer and a mezzanine floor was given the go- ahead by Shropshire Council planners earlier this month and work had been due to start in June, and finish by December.

But the latest delay means the building is expected to be closed from July until late January next year.

Neil Willcox, commissioning manager for Shropshire Council, said: "We aim to complete in the third week of January and that is crucial because the town council has identified February 2014 as an important date in terms of the number of events scheduled and the income it generates.

"We have to work out how we are going to deal with asbestos removal, but that is not surprising for a 1950s building.

"We are having to respond to building regulations and in particular to advice that the fire escape needs to be improved from the first floor. That wasn't part of our original plan but we are having to pick up on that."

Money for the improvements to the 40-year-old building has been secured from the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, Whitchurch Town Council and Sainsbury's, which built a store in the town last year. It is part of a £1.6 million scheme to redevelop the building, although no funds have yet been secured for phase two of the work.

Mr Willcox said the changes will put 'additional pressures' on the budget and that the leaders need to know what is needed before the project goes out to tender. He stressed that whichever company is chosen to carry out the building work may have different projections for completion.

"It is just the reality of managing what is a complicated project in an old building," he added.

It is hoped the market hall will stay open throughout the work. Town councillors will hear an update when the civic centre and market committee meet at the centre at 7.15pm on Thursday. The meeting is open to the public.