Vacant land to be transformed into 'pocket park'

A patch of empty land in Shrewsbury that has remained vacant for years is to be transformed into a "pocket park" for the public.

The site, which lies between a hair salon and a railway bridge in Abbey Foregate, would become a welcoming public space, Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) said.

Plans for the micro park include planting, a seating area and a community garden behind it for those who live in the town centre but may lack garden space.

Work to clear the site will begin later this week, including groundworks and the removal of fencing, with the space planned to be made available for public use by the end of September.

The project has been funded by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, backed by capital funding from government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The land is owned by local businessman Martin Monahan, who has partnered with Shrewsbury BID for the project.

Other features set to be included are free public WiFi, lighting, secure cycle storage and a Brompton bike hire station.

"I've owned this land for many years, and I'm delighted to make it available free of charge to Shrewsbury BID and work with local partners to transform it into a welcoming green space," Monahan said.

"It will give something back to the community, enhance the Abbey Foregate area and encourage more people to cycle."

Emma Molyneux, Shrewsbury's BID's project lead, added: "By turning it into a pocket park, with somewhere to sit and somewhere to grow things, we will make a genuine improvement to the local street scene – and offer a much more pleasant welcome to the town."

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