Market hall entrance plans welcomed by community groups in Ellesmere

The proposals would see the current ramped side access to Ellesmere Market Hall enclosed, to provide shelter and improve security at the site.

A number of groups using the hall have since welcomed the plans, which they say would improve the facility for users.

Diane Harvey, of the Ellesmere Youth Project, said: "For us, this would benefit the children and parents alike who attend youth club as a shelter from the elements of the weather and also from a child safety point of view.

"Keeping the children nearby until a parents collects them would be much better than what they currently do, which is walk up and down the street as there is no other way for parents or youths to see if their parent or guardian is there to collect them."

The plans were put forward to Shropshire Council last month by Altogether Ellesmere, which runs the town’s market hall.

Chairman of the group, Lincoln McMullan, said he hopes the improvements will also make the venue more marketable for different events.

Christine Kros, instructor of MD Warriors, uses the hall for the group martial arts sessions and said it would be a great benefit to the organisation.

She said: "Firstly, for safety reasons for our students as it means that from the current door they would not be going straight outside.

"Also for heating purposes, the hall can get very cold in the winter and thus would stop the drafts coming in.

"When seeing the plans it was mentioned that a window would be fitted. This would be brilliant as it could pose as a viewing window for our parents, to save them from disturbing the session."

The plans would see the ramped entrance, which is currently open, enclosed in a clay tile roof, horizontal timber cladding wall and a blick plinth to match the current building.

On the side, there will be two new windows, while the front would feature a new door.

Mr McMullan said the market hall acts as a “focal point” for the community and previously said as much as £7,000 could be spent on improvements to the facility.

The plans have also been supported by Carole Hill, a tutor from North Shropshire College.

She said: "I teach three one-hour classes from 6pm to 9.30pm, and my students have commented that having protection from the weather whilst waiting for entry to the hall for their start time would be welcomed."

The plans are available to view on the Shropshire Council website.