Council 'togetherness call' over Ellesmere's market hall

Ann Hartley, Shropshire councillor for the town, has stressed the importance of All Together Ellesmere getting support from the town council to help with running the market hall.

She has praised the work the company has done since it took over the running of the 19th century building nearly two years ago from Shropshire Council.

She was speaking at a meeting of Ellesmere Town Council, which heard a pledge from town councillors that they would support the Scotland Street building, which is still owned by the unitary authority.

Councillor Hartley said: "I think it has got to the stage where the town council really needs to work with All Together Ellesmere now. All Together Ellesmere has been absolutely brilliant in running your market.

"It is not in direct competition with the town hall. It is a completely different venue and I think they complement each other really well."

All Together Ellesmere has previously said it has ambitious plans for the market hall but it needs the backing from councillors and the community.

At this week's meeting the town council, which owns the market rights, was asked to consider several ideas including allowing part of its caretaking and cleaning team to help set up the building for its Tuesday market.

It was also asked to consider taking on the cost of the waste collection and promote the building on its website.

Councillors agreed to support the market hall in principle but asked All Together Ellesmere to provide more information before they made a final decision on exactly how much money they would provide to support it.

Councillor Geoff Elner, of the town council, said: "I propose we find money to keep it running. It brings people into the town."

Councillor Ian Ward added: "We need to see All Together Ellesmere operating as an effective body.

We need to have a breakdown of how much it's going to cost us."

Lincoln McMullan, chairman of All Together Ellesmere, said: "I thought some of the points they made and the support they gave was good. All I'm asking for is a bit of help such as putting tables up, and help pay for rubbish removal.

"We want to get to the stage where All Together Ellesmere takes the building off the hands of Shropshire Council and we would run it and look for outside investment."