Newly-refurbished Severn Centre in Highley to reopen this month

The newly-refurbished Severn Centre in Highley will reopen later this month (Friday 25 May 2012), after being awarded £45,000 under Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme (MTRP). 

The centre will be officially reopened by Philip Dunne MP at 11am. 

The money, which has been match funded, has been used to completely redesign the foyer area.  This has included taking down the foyer’s internal walls, which will enable residents to use the library and computers at any time of the day or evening.  The foyer area will now also be able to be used for additional social and promotional activities.  

John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member, said:

“In these difficult economic times it is vital that we continue to support and invest in our market towns and rural communities.  I’m delighted that this funding has been awarded to Severn Centre.  I’m sure everyone will welcome the essential improvements to the centre which will offer something for everyone.” 

Mary Nicholls, Shropshire Councillor for Highley, said:

“This is the culmination of almost two years of negotiations between Shropshire Council, the Severn Centre and Highley Parish Council.  Already the foyer area work has made such a difference to the entrance area of the Severn Centre, making it much more welcoming and accessible. 

“The project is based on similar open library facilities at Cleobury Mortimer and Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms.  The project also helps secure Highley’s library service for the future when libraries across the country are closing down, as well as providing much needed additional space for any number of leisure and business purposes.”  

This enhancement of the building ensures that the centre will continue to be the hub of Highley, offering the local community access not only to the library, but childcare facilities, activities for children, a local police presence and leisure facilities which include a gym, sports hall, group exercise classes, racket sports and an outdoor heated pool which is open until 2 September 2012. 

The £500,000 Market Towns Capital Initiative Fund is part of Shropshire Council’s MTRP, which aims to regenerate and renew the economy, environment and social vitality of the county’s towns.