WHITCHURCH’S mayor has thanked people for turning out to support a ‘positive protest’ over the future of the Civic Centre.

Save Our Civic Group members, who are campaigning for the building to be saved solely for community use, met outside on Saturday and were joined by Councillor Andy Hall and North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan.

Cllr Hall said he was delighted to see so many there to keep the conversation moving as to the town having a facility like the Civic Centre.

OTHER NEWS:

He said: “I was delighted to see so many Whitchurch people out to support this crucial campaign.

“It is essential that Shropshire Council understand the strength of feeling regarding retaining our Civic centre as the heartbeat of our town. 

“History shows us how Shropshire Council buildings have been left to decay for years like the swimming baths and Centre North East and we can’t let this happen to the Civic.

“A massive thanks to all the organisers and Helen Morgan for her unwavering support.”

The Civic Centre, which closed in 2023 because of the level of Raac found there, had been set to be turned into community use with housing, as recommended by officers in an official report, stating the rebuild of the building would be too much.

However, campaigners – including Mrs Morgan, Whitchurch Town Council and all of the Whitchurch Shropshire councillors – managed to force the unitary authority into a climbdown.

This has led to a working party between both councils as to what kind of facility is needed.

Mrs Morgan added that she was pleased with the protest as it focused on ensuring people were aware of why the Civic Centre was required.

She added: “The strength of opinion in Whitchurch is incredibly clear – we need to Save Our Civic.

“The thriving High Street in Whitchurch is a testament to how much the community supports local independent businesses, and the Civic Centre has a long history of drawing people in.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@whitchurchherald.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

“Shutting it down without a replacement would send entirely the wrong message.

“It was great to see that the protest was being run in a positive way, with a focus on action and securing the funding needed to have a community hub in town for years to come.

“The campaigners have my full support.”