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Debate on landmark after hundreds sign petition

BBC The New Market buildings, which are of Italianate architecture, with scaffolding on its upper floors and arches boarded up with metal sheets. People can be seen walking up the street past it. A tower at the far end is topped by a weather vane and another business is open next door. BBC
The New Market buildings consist of a former market and assembly rooms, built in the mid 19th Century

A council will debate the future of a dilapidated local landmark after about 1,500 signed a petition calling for its urgent repair.

Huw Rees, who started the petition, said the New Market buildings at the bottom of Bridgnorth's High Street had fallen into "a dangerous state".

He wants the council to put pressure on private owners to maintain it or to issue a compulsory purchase order to bring the building into public ownership.

The petition will be presented to Shropshire Council next month.

According to Historic England, the Grade II listed New Market buildings comprise a former market and assembly rooms, built between 1855 and 1859.

It was built on top of part of the town's ruined Norman castle, but 19th Century traders refused to take space there and continued to trade in the street.

Mr Rees described the public response to his campaign as "overwhelming", estimating online and paper petitions had reached about 10% of the town's population.

With 1,000 signatures sufficient to trigger a council debate, Mr Rees said he recognised the authority itself might not have sufficient funds for a restoration.

"What would be good is for them to say: 'We recognise the importance of this building, we recognise our duty of care towards it as a listed building,'" he said.

"'And, we are willing to do something to ensure it's restored or protected.'"

Bridgnorth resident and petitioner Huw Rees looking unhappy in front of the New Market Hall, which has crumbling brickwork and graffiti on a boarded up doorway.
Huw Rees said he was overwhelmed his petition had reached so many people

The campaigner has also met with Conservative MP for South Shropshire Stuart Anderson over the issue, who told him he had been in touch with the owners and was due to meet them in the coming months.

The council has previously said it was in contact with owners over their obligations for repair and maintenance.

The BBC has attempted to contact the building's owners.

Mr Rees said recent bad weather had amplified his concerns over safety.

"I personally wouldn't stand under the building in high winds," he said.

"It is a concern that it's beyond saving, but if it is beyond saving, questions need to be asked to the owner and to Shropshire Council.

"They need to be asked: 'Why was it allowed to get to this state, when you have a duty of care towards a listed building?'"

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