Grand interior design for Whitchurch Civic Centre
This is the first glimpse of how Whitchurch Civic Centre could look inside when the first phase of a £1.6 million project to transform the town centre is completed.
Designers have taken the wraps off their latest vision for the 1970 High Street building, and a planning application has been approved by Shropshire Council with work expected to start in the summer.
The improvements include work to the façade, internal alterations to create a more welcoming foyer, interior decoration to the main hall and market hall, and replacement heating, lighting and ventilation.
The mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Peggy Mullock, said the redevelopment will be a big boost for the town.
She said: "I'm very impressed with the plans and I think, once completed, the new civic centre will be a big boost to the High Street and to town residents.
"The new lobby area is going to incorporate Shropshire Council's Customer Fire Point and Whitchurch Tourist Office.
"Both offices are currently in the town's heritage centre. People expect to be able to walk into the civic centre and find out council and tourist information, so I think it's great all this information will now be under one roof.
"It also means the heritage centre can expand into a great little museum full of treasures detailing Whitchurch's history. It's an exciting project."
Councillor Mullock said improving the outside of the building will give the High Street a completely different look.
She said: "The new square will be a lovely area to entertain the public and once inside they will see a beautiful civic centre which has an awful lot to offer. If we can get more people into the town it can only be a good thing for the shopkeepers."
Phase one of the revamp is expected to cost £684,000, but project leaders have admitted there is no funding in place to deliver phase two.
