What a save! Shrewsbury Town to the rescue of Powerleague site
Shrewsbury's Powerleague five-a-side football site has been saved from closure.
Shrewsbury Town in the Community (STITC), the official charity of the town's football club, is set to complete the takeover of the site at the Montgomery Waters Meadow, with all of the existing staff being retained.
Renamed the Community Football Hub, it will open from February 1 with all existing bookings carrying on as normal
STITC head of community Jamie Edwards said he is excited about developing and improving the facility.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Football Club and the Supporters Parliament to maintain a quality facility.
“We now have the platform to increase our offer particular around recreational football, health and match days,” he added.
The site was one of 13 earmarked for closure after creditors approved proposals to restructure the struggling Powerleague business last year.
The company has more than 440 pitches across 49 sites in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. It directly employs over 580 people at its sites and head office, and has contracts with a number of sports coaches and referees across all locations.
The company proposed a Company Voluntary Arrangement as a last resort following three years of declining like-for-like revenues, and failed attempts to turn around the business through alternative means.
Following a comprehensive review of the business, the directors identified 13 sites for closure, leaving more than 100 jobs nationwide under threat.
