Grant brings Oswestry shop back to life
Historic shopfronts are being reinstated to Oswestry town centre, and empty upper floors have been brought back to life, thanks to a joint project.
Oswestry’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) has been busy working with businesses in the town through the last year to see lasting change in the town centre.
Grants have been awarded to businesses to carry reinstate historic shopfronts and bring empty upper floors back into use as accommodation, as they were originally.
The Oswestry High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, which has received funding from Shropshire Council, Historic England and Oswestry Town Council, is being delivered through a partnership between Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID (Business Improvement District).
1 Beatrice Street, Oswestry before
One of the projects that is nearing completion is 1 Beatrice Street. The property has transformed its shopfront from the modern aluminium to a traditional wooden design with a recessed doorway. The design was influenced by the original shopfront. The upper floors are being brought back into use as accommodation with a four-bed flat over two floors.
Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader, and Cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and planning, said:-
“This project is having a significant impact on Oswestry town centre and bringing it back to life. There is so much going on in Oswestry under the HSHAZ scheme, and this is a leading example of how buildings are being rejuvenated, bringing benefit to the whole town.”
1 Beatrice Street, Oswestry after
Jay Moore, Oswestry Town Councillor, said:-
“The town council have provided significant match funding for the High Street Heritage Action Zone project and are pleased to see a number of projects come to fruition. 1 Beatrice Street is a complete transformation, and the renovations complement what is a really exciting and high quality local independent business. I congratulate the owners for their dedication and hard work. Another fantastic business in Oswestry, and we are pleased to have played a part.”
Josh Rogers, business owner, added:-
“When we bought the property we saw the potential of this old building. Thanks to the HSHAZ grant we have been able to breathe new life into it and add something special to the high street. We really couldn’t have done it without the grant.”
Samantha Jones, Shropshire Council’s HSHAZ project officer, said:-
“This is one of the first of many new shopfronts that will be appearing in town over the coming year. It has been really rewarding to help independent businesses carry out this transformational change to their buildings and bring history back to the high streets of Oswestry.”
