Shrewsbury council meetings switch for work on new university

All council meetings will take place at Rowley's House, the base of University Centre Shrewsbury, with immediate effect.

Council meetings have previously been held at the Guildhall, in Frankwell, but the building is set to form a major part of the new university by hosting lectures.

Helen Ball, Shrewsbury Town Council's clerk, said they were pleased to have found a town centre venue.

She said: "While the town council will remain at the Guildhall for the time being, it has been necessary to make alternative arrangements for our council and committee meetings now that work to transform the Guildhall has begun.

"We felt it important that our meetings, which are open to the press and public, remain easily accessible and within the town centre – Rowley's House ticks both of these boxes.

"Staff at the site, which is now managed by the university, have been hugely accommodating and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for making us feel so welcome."

The meetings will take place in either the Baxter or Shrewsbury rooms.

Town council staff are currently based at The Guildhall but the authority is in the process of seeking out new premises.

Earlier this year the council confirmed it was aiming to move into a new home by the end of the year.

Alan Mosley, leader of the council, said it was in the process of seeking out new premises, with a preference for a town centre location.

He also revealed that the council had set aside funding to ensure that it could move to suitable premises, although he stressed that members of the public would be fully consulted before any relocation was approved.

He said: "We have known for some time that the Guildhall will be required for full conversion into university teaching space and we are preparing to relocate from there by the end of the year.

"In fact, since our inception in 2009 we have recognised the need to develop our own premises and money has been put in reserves to that end.

"The premises will need to provide good quality offices for our senior staff and administrative support as well as meeting rooms, which might also be available for public use. A facility for the mayor is vital and a prerequisite is that there must be good accessibility for residents and other visitors. We would prefer to acquire the freehold or long-term leasehold of the building."

The Guildhall and Shrewsbury's Rowley's House will both be used by the new University Centre Shrewsbury when it accepts its first students in September.