New signs set to provide boost to Ellesmere

Ellesmere is set to receive a boost thanks to new signs that are being put up to help promote the town and its attractions to visitors. 

A new sign is being put up opposite The Mere in Ellesmere this week to help promote the 11 annual events that take place in the town – including Ellesmere Food and Drink Festival, Ellesmere Regatta and Ellesmere Festival. 

The sign is being installed at the entrance to Castlefields car park so that it can be viewed by people entering and leaving Ellesmere.  Produced by Shropshire-based Shelley Signs, it has been designed so that it is in keeping with the Mereside interpretation. 

At the same time, a replacement noticeboard is being installed at Ellesmere Market Hall so that local organisations can promote their events and activities. 

And, following a review of the town’s ‘fingerposts’ to make sure they give the correct information, ten new fingers are to be added to the existing posts to direct people to the Ellesmere sculptures and Market Hall.  Refurbishment and repainting of the fingerposts will begin later this month and is expected to be completed by mid-June 2013. 

Meanwhile, an additional electronic poster to highlight local attractions and opportunities to visitors is to be put up at The Boathouse – a similar poster is already in place at the information centre in Wharf Road.

The new signage follows a public consultation which found that signage and visitor flow through the town was key to improving the vitality of Ellesmere, and that there was a clear desire to reinstate the events notice at the town gateway to raise awareness of the events taking place in the town.

The work is being paid for using funding from Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme (MTRP).

Under the MTRP, Shropshire’s 11 smallest market towns – including Ellesmere – were able to bid for a share of £500,000 to spend on projects that would enhance and boost their town.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said:

“Encouraging people to visit Ellesmere, and enhancing their stay in the town, is a key priority for Shropshire Council and for Ellesemere Town Council. This project has allowed us to work in partnership with Ellesmere Chamber Of Commerce and local event organisers, giving them an opportunity to get involved.  We are delighted that most of the work will be completed ahead of the start of our busy schedule of activities.”  

For further details please contact Julie Ruler, community action officer on 01691 677301 or email julie.ruler@shropshire.gov.uk.