£18 million Shirehall revamp is delayed to 2019

Work on the £18 million revamp was originally due to start as early as last month.

But today it was revealed builders are unlikely to move in until October next year.

The council's head of business initiatives and commercial services, Tim Smith, said in a briefing in December that the work could start as early as May this year.

But outline proposals will be now not be considered by the authority until next month.

According to the council, once the scheme is given the go-ahead work on the building, which was built in the early 1960s, could begin in October next year. The overhaul is expected to take about 18 months.

Shropshire Council insists the project remains on track.

Spokesman Gareth Proffitt said the council's architects are currently drawing up plans for the building.

He said: "Last December Shropshire Council agreed to complete a refurbishment and reconfiguration of Shirehall to create a much-improved, more flexible space, reduce running costs, improve the reception and entrance arrangements and take up opportunities to bring partners into Shirehall via the One Public Estate programme.

"Our architects are currently drawing up plans for the building. Outline proposals will be considered at a meeting of full council in late July, before work moves on to the more detailed design work and planning.

"Construction work is set to begin in October 2019 and will then take approximately 18 months to complete."

The council had considered vacating the site and relocating and rebuilding elsewhere but the costs were deemed to be too high.

It had also looked in the partial renovation of the building but is was felt this did not address a number of issues including heating, energy wastage and the building being unattractive to potential partners and external companies who may otherwise take up office space and thereby generate income.

On completion there would be open plan work spaces, hot desking and spaces which could be rented out to businesses or partners.

Leader of Shropshire Council Peter Nutting said that it is estimated that by attracting private and commercial partners to the refurbished building, the council would be able to generate approximately £2 million in revenue per year.

In recent months talks have also been held between Councillor Nutting and West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion about the possibility of Shrewsbury Police Station being moved to Shirehall from its current site in Monkmoor.

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski has met with Mr Campion and said he would support the move – and wants to see houses built on the site.