WHITCHURCH residents are being urged to give their views on the future of the Civic Centre with a new consultation opening up.

The consultation, up-and-running until Tuesday, June 11, is a survey wanting to know what peoples’ preferred options are from the six available, how much they have used the building in the past and what services should be available.

Prior to its closure because of the Raac crisis, Whitchurch Civic Centre was home to the town council, the indoor market, a library and a theatre hall.

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The working group – made up of Shropshire Councillors, Whitchurch Town Councillors plus officers from both councils – will then use the consultation findings and the business cases to make a recommendation to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet.

Councillor Andy Hall, Whitchurch mayor and a member of the working group, said: “It is vital that Whitchurch residents engage with this public consultation – it will ensure that we can accurately capture the needs of our community – not just now, but into the future.

“The results of this initial consultation will inform the progress of the Civic Centre Working Group and ultimately guide proposals which will be put forward to Shropshire Council for a final decision.

“In the meantime, Whitchurch Town Council is pleased to support our community through the continued operation of the Sports/Market Hall and, of course, our new temporary home, due to open shortly in Station Road.”

The survey can be completed on the Shropshire Council website, from where hard copies can also be downloaded and printed.

Hard copies are also available from the sports/market hall – where completed copies can also be left in a ‘drop box’ – at the following times: Monday (9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm) and Friday (7.30am to 12.30pm; and 1.30pm to 4.30pm).

Outside of these hours the surveys and drop box will be located outside the hall during normal working hours.

Paul Wynn, Shropshire Councillor for Prees, and chairman of the working group said: “We know the importance of the Civic Centre to Whitchurch and to people who live in and around the town.

“Now we really want to hear people’s views about the future of the building, and about how they use – or have used – the building.

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“We ask as many people as possible to complete the survey as what they tell us really will help us to understand what the community thinks, and what people want.

“All comments will be carefully considered and will help inform our recommendation to Cabinet.”

Shropshire Council has said previously the estimated costs of these options ranges from £60,000 to £7.6m.