'We are hopeful about Market Drayton's empty large stores being filled and re-opened this year'
Councillors have said they hope to see empty large stores in Market Drayton re-opened during this year.
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Large units that were formerly occupied by Wilkos and B&M in the north Shropshire town are currently listed for sale.
Unit three in Royal Oak Court, previously B&M, is listed for £900,000 while the retail store with a floor area of 40,965 sq ft that was previously Wilkos, and is situated next to the town hall off Frogmore Road, is also on the market.
With the units remaining unoccupied into the new year, Market Drayton town councillor Ian Nellins has spoken of his hopes to see the stores filled once again.
"We are ambitious about these large stores being filled and re-opened," said Mr Nellins.
"It’s nothing to do with the town council in the fact that they are privately owned but we are hopeful that there will be something coming into the big shops during the next year.
"With regards to small shops, there are very few that are empty compared to other towns.
"We are hopeful to attract more businesses. One of the reasons for the small shops being empty is the success of the Tern Valley Business Park, which we are not knocking on - but it has had a knock-on effect."
Speaking to the Shropshire Star about action in the town during the last 12 months, local councillor Tim Manton added: "If you walk around this town there are very few small shops unoccupied in this town."
Mr Manton also revealed that the town council is working on producing a new town map, or visitor guide, for the area.
The councillor said there are also ambitions to produce a town action plan this year, working to improve the region and make it more attractive.
"We are really excited by this," said Mr Manton.
"We commissioned a group called the retail group to do a study for us with regards to the town centre, to find what is good about it, what is bad, how we can improve.
"There were many action points that were recommended and so we have started on them and going through 2025 we will be working on a lot of those.
"That will have a significant impact in Market Drayton, in improving the town, improving the overall look of the town, and importantly it will have an impact in bringing people to the town to improve our visitor economy."
