Oswestry is top choice for government funding
Oswestry could get a slice of a £675 million government fund to transform its struggling high street.
Shropshire Council must choose one town to put forward for the Future High Streets fund and leader, Councillor Peter Nutting, has confirmed that Oswestry is the top choice.
He said Shrewsbury is no longer in the running because it has received large investments in recent years.
"No decisions have been made yet but my point of view is that we should put Oswestry forward," he said.
"We are allocating an officer to do some work on it and if they, along with Oswestry Town Council and BID can put together a business case, Shropshire Council will then put them forward to the government to get the funding.
"It is the second largest town in Shropshire and Shrewsbury has had a lot of investment and money recently with the North West Relief Road funding and shopping centres. It's the town that I think would best attract the funding, especially with plans for the Innovation Park at Mile End.
"It is most likely Oswestry will be put forward this year and then next time we will look at other market towns or even Shrewsbury."
High Streets Minister Jake Berry launched the fund last month to help modernise high streets and town centres.
Shropshire Council director of place, Mark Barrow, met with Oswestry Town Council members and officers last week to move the plans forward.
Clerk David Preston said: "Up to £25 million will be awarded to each successful place. We understand the range for a town centre is between £5m and £10m.
"We did a presentation to Shropshire Council about why the opportunity is so significant to Oswestry. We outlined the work going on with the Business District Improvement (BID) and Townscape and Transport group."
Mr Preston said there is a perceived lack of investment in Oswestry in terms of infrastructure and highways over the last 20 years.
He added: "It's agreed that Oswestry is a very good place that could be better. It is facing significant challenges on its high street. There is recognition from Shropshire Council that too much money has been taken away from this part of the county in recent years.
"The belief was that Oswestry could be a very fit and financially strong partner."
