New signs set to boost Albrighton visitor numbers

New signs have gone up in and around Albrighton in Shropshire, to encourage people to visit the village – which is located approximately halfway between Telford and Wolverhampton – and to help them get the most out of their visit.

Under Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, Albrighton’s Traders’ Association were awarded £31,300 to manufacture and install a range of strategic and directional interpretive signs in and around Albrighton.  This was added to further grants from Albrighton Parish Council, and Donington with Boscobel Parish Council, to make a project total of £42,000.

Under the project a range of signs have been developed to include welcome and tourism signs at key entrances to the town, plus interpretation panels in the town centre, and additional direction and interpretation signs at the exits of David Austin Roses, Boscobel House, Albrighton Railway Station and RAF Cosford Museum.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“The Market Towns Revitalisation Programme aims to provide a real boost to the economy of our market towns and rural areas.  This is a fantastic project that I hope will do exactly that for Albrighton, and I’m delighted that we have been able to award such a significant amount of funding to make it possible.”

Malcolm Pate, Shropshire Councillor for Albrighton, said:

“Albrighton is a quaint village with a lovely high street and some quality local independent shops.  However, its proximity to Telford and the Black Country has resulted in a situation where the village has been bypassed by several major roads and is now off the beaten track.

“This project should help to increase the number of tourists and shoppers visiting Albrighton, and help them to find their way around, and learn more about our village.”

Vicky Hyde, current Chairman of Albrighton Traders’ Association, said:

“This scheme was a priority for the traders and was driven forward by the determination of Gaynor Richards, our past Chairman, who worked tirelessly for over a year to bring this project to a successful conclusion.

“We thank Shropshire, Albrighton and Donington councils for both their financial and officer support on this important scheme.  It’s a tough time for businesses during these difficult financial times, and we are hopeful that the improved signage will help the village to pick itself up and begin to thrive again. Thank you to all involved for their hard work.”