A vacant shop unit that had become an "eyesore" in a North Shropshire town has received a temporary makeover to improve its appearance Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Market Drayton Town Council has worked in partnership with landlords and Halls estate agents to install branding and banners on the windows of the old B&M store off Frogmore Road Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Shropshire Star’s free newsletter The discount chain moved into the former Homebase store behind Lidl off Frogmore Road in 2019 As a result, its former shop unit has sat vacant since, and is for sale with Halls Estate Agents for £900,000 or available at £80,000 per annum Banners on the windows promote different places to visit and things to do in the town and it's hoped the vacant unit is now easier on the eye for visitors on residents Chair of the services and facilities committee at Market Drayton Town Council Tim Manton said: "The shop has been empty for years "The unit is vacant and over the years it has become worse and unsightly Seemingly the agent hasn't done anything about it "It was a definitely an eyesore in the town and the concern was the location of the unit over the road from the Festival Drayton Centre "A fair few people driving through Market Drayton are greeted with this eyesore of a vacant shop and nobody wants to see vacant shops in their town shops "We picked up on that and it is on the back of the report that we had commissioned by the Retail Group that recommended temporarily dressing up empty shop frontages So that is what we have done with the old B&M "We have gone out of our way to enhance the building and make it look a lot better and welcoming but install messages that advertise an promote Market Drayton and what is happening "I am delighted with the finished effect of it civic leaders are desperate to see the empty unit filled In March, Scarborough-based and family-owned department store group W Boyes & Co Ltd opened its first store in the county inside the former Wilkos shop - opposite the old B&M store "It is important to say that it isn't about the graphics," councillor Manton added "It is about getting that premises occupied "What we ultimately want is a business in there We will be giving the agent every assistance we can to make that happen we will get all of the graphics off and a new retail unit there in the meantime it has brightened the town up and made it look a lot better from a vacant shop that was an eyesore." Residents across Shropshire are invited to join in with local celebrations and festivities as Shropshire Council leads the way in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on the May bank holiday Local communities can join the nationwide Great British Food Festival on Monday 5 May by holding street parties cooking up a BBQ or fry up with their neighbours The Great British Food Festival will bring together residents and visitors to celebrate the county’s rich culinary and cultural history whilst also honouring the sacrifices and triumphs of the nation’s veterans during the Second World War Shropshire Council’s chief executive “Whether it’s a street or garden party we’re inviting everyone to come together in Shropshire for the Great British Food Festival for a day of fun and to honour the veterans who ensured we could live peacefully today “VE Day is a significant occasion for our nation and the 80th anniversary gives us a unique opportunity to bring all of our residents together to reflect on “We will be proudly flying the VE Day Flag outside the main council offices at The Guildhall in Shrewsbury.” VE Day is a day of remembrance that commemorates Germany’s surrender to the Allies everyone can get involved with local events including: people can follow Shropshire Council on Facebook and X and join the conversation using #VE80 the Together Coalition’s chief executive officer “VE Day is perhaps the most formative single moment in shaping the collective image we have of ourselves as people and as nations That is why we’re encouraging all communities to come together and celebrate our shared history.” Email: communications@shropshire.gov.uk Phone: 01743 252826 Email: customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk Phone: 0345 678 9000 A brand-new events space at the heart of Joule’s Brewery is now open The Stag in Great Hales Street, Market Drayton The Stag is temporarily the base for the Market Drayton-based brewery’s tap room as The Red Lion undergoes refurbishment over the next four months  But it’s the perfect opportunity for customers to get a feel for the space, owners of Joule’s Brewery said The Stag will be available to hire as your very own pub for private celebrations with no hiring charges Customers will only be expected to cover the cost of their food and drinks From birthdays and wakes to casual wedding parties and reunions charity fundraisers and community gatherings development director at Joule’s Brewery said: “We’re proud to be growing here in Market Drayton we’ve restored The Stag as a Victorian parlour pub and built the new Brewer’s Hall a striking warehouse-style space right alongside our brewery and the team has done a brilliant job bringing it to life this is about giving something back to Market Drayton - creating a space to welcome people in and celebrate what we do here at Joule’s “We look forward to hosting customers from across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire to see how we brew and to experience the heart of our brewery.”  Customers will be able to tailor their booking to the size and feel of their events, Joule’s Brewery is launching a vibrant summer programme at The Stag Resurfacing work is to be carried out on the A529 Adderley Road at Market Drayton from 13 to 17 January 2025 The work will be carried out to improve the approaches to the Adderley Road zebra crossing from the Propsect Road mini-roundabout to the stone railway bridge It’s part of the Government-funded A529 Safer Roads Fund scheme that aims to improve safety on the A529 between Hinstock and Audlem Work will  take place from 9.30am to 4pm each day and the road will be closed during these time During the closures a signed diversion will be place – and access/egress for properties  and businesses within the closure will be maintained when safe to do so road users may be able to choose an alternative diversion route People are asked not to park on the road during the day whilst the work is in progress All planned roadworks are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be displayed on the yellow advanced warning signs and on https://one.network/ access to the works area will be restricted to: A series of traffic calming measures are planned for roads through a village in north Shropshire A consultation is currently underway regarding the installation of traffic calming measures on number of roads in Hinstock, near Market Drayton a raised plateau would be installed between along the A529 on School Bank running for 94-metres to Wood Lane and 79-metres to Chester Road Several speed cushions would also be installed along School Bank Documents relating to the consultation can be viewed at Market Drayton Library during regular opening hours Alternatively, copies may be requested by emailing traffic.engineering@shropshire.gov.uk by writing to the Traffic Engineering Team or make any other comments about these proposals are asked to email or write to the addresses above as objections cannot be accepted over the phone This page will be used to share the latest information about vote verification and counting at the Shropshire Council election count on Friday 2 May [2025] – showing at a glance whether the votes for a particular division are are being For updates please visit this page from 9am on Friday 2 May To see the order in which votes for each division will be verified and counted – and at which table, follow this link. For the latest situation please refresh this page A day before celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary a Shropshire retiree was left stunned after scooping a car holiday and smartwatch in a prize bundle worth over £110,000 Christian Channer, from Market Drayton, won a £63,000 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, £50,000 tax-free cash, a holiday to France, and a Garmin Fenix 8 watch in BOTB’s weekly Dream Car competition.  Christian and his wife Sandra were about to head out to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when they received a surprise visit from BOTB presenter Christian Williams Don’t miss any of the latest news and breaking stories from Shropshire. Get the latest headlines wherever you are with our free daily newsletter sent directly to your inbox The all-electric VW ID.Buzz – a modern take on the iconic campervan – was parked just around the corner for the ultimate reveal Christian and Sandra got to sit in their new vehicle and were then guided to the rear where £50,000 in cash was hidden in the boot said the prize money couldn’t have come at a better time as Sandra has been waiting to have surgery I need an operation and I can pay for it now,” Sandra said Christian said: “I love cars and I’ve been playing the competition on and off for years I always thought how nice it would be to win the car of my dreams.” He added that he may consider taking the cash alternative for the ID.Buzz to carry out home improvements and help cover the cost of an upcoming family wedding in Colombia BOTB’s Christian said: “A huge congratulations to Christian and Sandra – what a time to win just before heading out to mark 25 years of marriage “The VW ID.Buzz is an incredible blend of classic charm and modern tech “When we heard Christian was planning to use the cash prize to fund Sandra’s operation it really put into perspective how life-changing these prizes can be.” BOTB has given away £91.9m-worth of cars so far Christian’s reaction can be seen online at: BOTB.com A commercial depot in Market Drayton has been snapped up by a stable fabricator in an "off-market deal" The commercial depot building at Llewellyn Roberts Way, near the Palethorpes factory, has been purchased by Tailored Equine Stables - the building's current tenants The company, which manufactures bespoke stables from its Market Drayton base and employs five staff in the town completed the purchase of the 10,000 square foot site from their former landlords this month Agents Towler Shaw Roberts say the company will now "further develop the business" having purchased the building on the fringe of Market Drayton town centre which was once used as a milk distribution hub for Longslow Dairy The deal was completed for an undisclosed sum in what the agents have described as an off-market deal who handled the sale for Towler Shaw Roberts said: “Having acted for the landlord for a number of years this was an opportunity for the tenant of the property that we have worked very closely with to buy the freehold in an off-market deal “This gives Matt Groom and the team at Tailored Equine Stables a chance to further develop their business going forward now they own the property.” The property occupies a "prominent corner position within an established industrial location" close to Market Drayton town centre workshop and storage across a 0.83 acre site Family business Tailored Equine Stables moved into the property around five years ago added: “Our dealings with TSR from the very beginning have always been easy and very efficient “We very much value Toby’s friendly approach and advice over the years especially his assistance in this purchase.” Shropshire Council are proposed replacing a road's weight limit with a width restriction to reduce the chances of vehicles becoming stuck A consultation is currently underway regarding the potential removal of the two-tonne weight limit on Kilnbank Road in Market Drayton the weight limit would be replaced with a 2.4m (7'9") width restriction which "will prevent oversized vehicles from travelling along the length of Kilnbank Road where there is insufficient width" The proposal continues: "Restricting this size of vehicle will reduce the likelihood of vehicles entering and becoming stuck along this road." A parent is furious after their young son was thrown off his bike after hitting a deep pothole that they claim has been reported to the council several times Rob Hall who lives in Stoke-on-Tern between Hodnet and Market Drayton says he has informed Shropshire Council of potholes along Ollerton Lane and in surrounding areas since the start of this year The 43-year-old said he warned the council that the potholes could potentially cause significant damage to a vehicle or cause someone to sustain an injury there is deep frustration after his 10-year-old son Jacob returned from a bike ride - aided by a local who was pushing his bike - injured and "shook" after he hit a pothole and was thrown into the middle of the road Jacob regularly rides his bike to and from Stoke-on-Tern Primary School and when his family takes their dog for a walk - and the 10-year-old's dad described him as a "confident rider" Jacob was moving to the side of the road to get out of the way of an approaching vehicle and was forced to go through what he thought was a puddle it was in fact a deep pothole that had filled with water Young rugby players in Market Drayton have raised thousands of pounds for charity through a sponsored walk in memory of a teammate who tragically died of a brain tumour The mini and junior section at Market Drayton Rugby Club completed a sponsored walk up the Wrekin on Sunday in memory of teammate Robin who passed away in September last year Robin was described as a "shining example" and is sorely missed by all involved and connected to the rugby club the junior section raises funds for a chosen charity and this year it was decided that they would fundraise for the Young Lives Vs Cancer charity that supported Robin's family throughout his illness More than £2,600 has been raised so far - smashing and more than doubling a fundraising target of £1,200 Players from the rugby club's under-five to under-15's teams took part including the club's under-12's girls' team members of Robin's family also joined the walk Chair at Market Drayton Rugby Club Steve Freeman organised the sponsored walk He coached Robin for more than three years and said he was "devastated" at his passing He said: "Every year we try with the juniors to do some charity fundraising The club supports Hope House Children's Hospices and has done for a few years and has done things like running a marathon of obstacle course racing "This year we lost Robin and attended the funeral in September with some of his teammates and we find out that his family had been supported by the Young Lives Vs Cancer Trust and they were asking for donations to be passed on to them So it became clear to us that we would raise money for the charity this year "I am incredibly proud of them so far and we are still chasing the last donations and have another £500 of gift aid to go on as well "We have generally raised a third of that each year We looked around at what activities we could do to raise funds and felt as a club that it was worth doing something a bit different this year and one of the parents suggested the walk so we decided that "It was something the juniors could do with families and that we hoped would be something special." The rugby club continues to welcome donations that can be made on their JustGiving page Firefighters have advised against having bonfires during warm and dry weather after a large open fire near Market Drayton Firefighters battled a large blaze involving 'waste grassland' at Spoonley yesterday (April 29) The fire is believed to have been caused by a bonfire that was left unattended Market Drayton Fire Station has thanked members of the public who assisted with the incident and identified the fire and access to the land Two fire crews from Hodnet and Market Drayton rushed to the scene at around 1.30pm The fire involved approximately 60 by 60 metres of waste grassland that could have spread to hedgerows Firefighters have issued a warning to residents after the incident advising not to have bonfires during warm and dry weather A post by Market Drayton Fire Station said: "At 1.28pm the rescue pump from Market Drayton was mobilised to a fire in the open at Spoonley near Market Drayton. On arrival a member of the public showed the crew where the incident was located and where the best access was The incident involved a 60m x 60m area of waste grassland alight which was in danger of setting fire to the perimeter hedgerow "Due to a limited crew and lack of local water supply the incident commander sent an assistance message to fire control to ‘make pumps two for water and personnel’ "The Market Drayton crew got to work with an extended hose reel jet and beaters and were able to stop the spread of fire to the hedgerow The second pump from Hodnet arrived with further crew and transferred their water supply to the Market Drayton pumping appliance then ferried water from the nearest hydrant to allow crews to damp down the area and check temperatures with a thermal image camera "The fire is believed to have been caused by fire spread from a bonfire left unattended We would like to thank the two members of the public who assisted the initial crew at this incident It is not advisable to have bonfires during prolonged periods of warm dry weather If you must have a controlled burn it should be attended at all times with water supply or other means of firefighting equipment on hand." A private woodland with a derelict 'chalet' near Market Drayton has been listed for sale This woodland in Hopton, near Hodnet, has hit the market for £90,000 with Berrys estate agents The property comprises 9.54 acres of "broadleaf woodland" as well as a derelict chalet with a toilet in the centre of the plot The listing says the wood is adjacent from the West Midlands Shooting Ground and features mainly ash It adds that the property is being sold subject to any existing rights of way there are no public rights of way over the land but there are overhead powerlines that pass through the property The listing describes the property as: "A fantastic and rare opportunity to purchase a private amenity woodland The property comprises 9.54 acres (3.86 hectares) of low-density broadleaf woodland with a derelict 'chalet' with a toilet at the centre of the property "The wood is stocked mainly of birch with some other species such as ash The woodland features roadside access and can be viewed at "any reasonable time during daylight hours by prospective purchasers" Further information can be found on Rightmove has been awarded West Midlands Winner for The Heating Installer Awards 2025 Taylor Evans was nominated following a bespoke install for a housing developer in Ashley and won the category he is now through to the final stage to decide on the overall national winner which now comes down to public votes You can vote for Taylor at: heatinginstallerawards.co.uk/vote-2025 JD Heating & Renewables are specialists in heat pumps air conditioning units and battery storage We are also fully accredited in installation we offer an all-in-one package for our clients Our qualified team have over 20 years’ experience accreditations and approvals to give you the quality assurance and confidence that the projects will be to your satisfaction and that reputation matters – most of our business comes through customer referrals we are ideally placed to take on residential commercial and social housing projects across the West Midlands These are the results for the 2025 Shropshire Council election Firefighters spent a few hours tackling a blaze caused by a fallen electric cable yesterday evening Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to an open fire in Childs Ercall, Market Drayton Firefighters were dispatched from Hodnet utility company Western Power was also present Upon arrival, firefighters found five seats of fire caused by fallen electric cable Power was isolated by Western Power to allow crews to extinguish the blaze using one extended hosereel jet and thermal image camera Market Drayton Art Club has celebrated its 20th anniversary in style The club held a special display at the Beacon Community Centre on Monday The works of current and past members were displayed as part of a commemorative morning of reminiscing Current and former members attended the celebratory event enjoying a bite to eat and most importantly viewing the incredible art on show Visitors to the centre could also see members and local artists at work witnessing several of the artist's talent and skill before their own eyes Market Drayton Art Club club was founded in April 2005 and several of the group's first meetings were held at founder Kath Farrimond's home Kath persuaded a group of the club's original members to help her start the organisation and was the driving force behind its existence and rise in popularity Membership at the club has grown significantly over the last 20 years The club first began meeting inside Market Drayton Methodist Church after membership grew further and the club expanded it moved to the Beacon Community Centre in 2008 The art club's first exhibition was held in 2005 inside the Festival Drayton Centre - a place the club still has close connections and strong links to and where several members of the club now proudly display their art throughout the year Market Drayton Art Club has served as a place for local artists to carry out independent work often with help and advice from other members while workshops also regularly take place and have become extremely popular the social aspect of the club is central to everything and the club serves as a great opportunity for artists to come together regularly and socialise The art club continues to thrive in the town enjoying some of the highest membership numbers for years and it even has a waiting list with residents keen to become members Lyn Turnock has been a member of Market Drayton Art Club for the full 20 years and has watched the club grow and thrive over the years She was the club's first secretary in 2005 and is extremely proud of everyone involved Lyn said: "The exhibition went really well People were every impressed by the art work that was brought in and we had visitors some people who were not members and ex club members too which was very nice  We had tea and cake and made it a social event as well as reminiscing We had some original art work by Kath who founded the club Quite a lot of people have bought her art in the past "She was a real driving force behind the club She is inspirational and helped a lot of people who hadn't done art before "We are really proud to celebrate 20 years The club is the strongest it has ever been and we have a waiting list for members." Shropshire Council residents will tomorrow (May 1) go to the polls in an election promising a huge shakeup at county hall - whichever party wins The results should be known by Friday evening - with 74 councillors to be elected across 72 divisions The election comes as Shropshire Council like councils and local government across the country has faced some of its most testing times in recent years The authority has been led by the Conservatives since its creation in 2009 - although defections left its majority on a knife-edge earlier this year We already know that a host of Shropshire's big-name Tories will not be returning Council leader Lezley Picton announced her intention to step down prior to the election - a decision that followed a testing period navigating the authority through major financial challenges and leading a host of some of the council's most ambitious and controversial projects That means that whichever party takes control on Friday Shropshire is guaranteed to have a new council leader - with a host of pressing issues on their plate Councillor Picton has been joined in confirming her departure by Tory cabinet mainstay Councillor Dean Carroll former cabinet member and deputy leader Councillor Steve Charmley cabinet members Kirstie Hurst-Knight and Cecilia Motley as well as fellow Conservatives Nicholas Bardsley A number of other prominent councillors will not be returning including Labour's current Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley and her party colleagues Ted Clarke and Tony Parsons The opposition Lib Dem group is meanwhile losing Nat Green Notable independents Robert Tindall and Ed Towers are also standing down Sign up today to get all the latest news headlines from Shropshire and Mid Wales delivered straight to your inbox with the Shropshire Star’s free newsletter The dynamics for this year's election promise to be wildly different to 2021 - not least because that election took place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic The rise of Reform has thrown a major unknown into the proceedings The party's mainstream breakthrough in last year's general election has been followed by a major push ahead of the local elections across the country Nigel Farage's party is putting candidates up in every ward for the first time That coupled with the creation of the New 'Shropshire First' group promises a host of different variables which didn't exist four years ago Labour and the Lib Dems both expect to make headway after a testing period for the ruling Conservatives but while many expect Reform to predominantly impact the Tories it's a brave person who predicts that political upstarts will not pull support from across the political spectrum the ballot will have huge implications for the future of Shropshire Council with the incoming administration likely to have little time to settle before the serious business begins The most obvious pressing issue will be what happens with Shrewsbury's North West Relief Road. The ongoing saga surrounding the controversial road project has dominated council proceedings for the last four years with opposition groups eventually lining up against the Conservatives to pledge that they would scrap the plan if they take power That conviction would likely be tested early on if there is a new party in charge with the financial reality of cancelling the road - and the consequences for an already cash-strapped authority - almost certainly set to shape the decision For their part the Conservatives have made their position clear - if you want the road built All those come as the new council will have to wrestle with the consequences of its local plan being thrown out - alongside a huge increase in the Labour Government's house building targets for the area the next four years are likely to be just as eventful as the last four Fully-staged live opera is returning to Market Drayton The North Wales Studio returns to the stage at the Festival Drayton Centre on May 9 and 10 to present Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci and betrayal will drive intense performances that are set to wow audiences in the North Shropshire town that are almost always performed together and are known as Cav and Pag there is nothing humble about their passion or the anguished emotion of the music in which they express it Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana is set in a Sicilian village over the course of a single Easter Sunday gritty story of adultery and murder includes the sublimely beautiful Intermezzo with its well-known tune the head of a troupe of touring actors murders his wife and her lover on stage during a performance to villagers The cast will include some 'rising stars' that are new to the North Wales Studio some stars from previous performances at the Festival Drayton Centre will return including Marcus Jakhelin Dawson from Norway and mezzo-soprano Sam Lewis from Gobowen who will play Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana "Festival Drayton Centre has superb facilities for staging operas like these," said director Anne Williams-King "We loved performing Mozart’s Don Giovanni here last year and it’s going to be a joy to present these two gems of Italian verismo opera there’s violence and melodrama but it’s all underwritten with such relatable passion There is tenderness and humour too amidst the simmering tension Tickets are £18 and available at the Festival Drayton Centre From the moment Ruth Redgate began learning how to make bread by hand Now she is the owner of Hunnypot Cottage Bakery and creates a wide range of breads and pastries from traditional white and wholegrains to more exotic treats “In 2013, my children bought me a bread making course – and I loved it,” says Ruth, who lives near Lichfield “When you take a baking course at a commercial bakery they use deck ovens which means you come back with loads of bread so I gave it away to neighbours and friends who asked for more and that’s how the business started.” Ruth sells her breads and pastries through her website as well as at local craft fairs They are also delivered to homes and farm shops in Lichfield “We offer 30 different types of breads – not all of these are on offer at every market – ranging from the simple white or 100 per cent wholemeal to our classics such as the rosemary “We also offer a range made without gluten although customers are made aware we do not have a separate kitchen for this so if you can’t have cranberries because you are on blood thinners then we will add another fruit to our hot cross buns and tea cakes,” explains Ruth Market Drayton will be closed from Monday 13 to Friday 24 January [2025] for essential maintenance to Red Bank No 1 retaining wall The work involves the taking down and rebuilding of a collapsed area of retaining wall and repairs to the drainage outlets To carry out the work safely it will be necessary to close Red Bank Road to vehicular traffic 24 hours a day When the road is closed traffic will be diverted via local roads by a signed diversion route Access for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available throughout the work The work will be carried out by Shropshire Council’s term maintenance contractor Kier with supervision being provided by WSP on behalf of Shropshire Council Firefighters have battled a blaze involving a large area of "waste grassland" near Market Drayton The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call shortly before 1.30pm reporting a fire in the open at Spoonley near the North Shropshire town Two fire crews rushed from Hodnet and Market Drayton fire stations to the scene An operations officer was also in attendance Reports from the fire service said the fire in the open involved approximately 60 by 60 metres of waste grass land and a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots Shropshire Council is developing plans to improve bus services and facilities in northeast Shropshire– including a new service between Whitchurch the Princess Royal Hospital and Wellington bus station It’s hoped that the new service would begin in summer 2025 with more details to follow in the coming weeks The new service would be funded from the council’s recent allocation of Government bus service improvement funding for the year 2025/26 Under the plans money would also be allocated to help Market Drayton Town Council improve the public toilet provision at Market Drayton Bus Station and to provide a new shelter and possibly electronic real-time displays The bus service improvement funding will also be used to improve bus services across the county – including a new service between Broseley and Shrewsbury, and increasing the frequency of Shrewsbury park and ride – with more to be announced in the coming months Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for public transport “Funding for public transport in rural areas is tight so I’m delighted that a service is being planned to connect Whitchurch This is particularly important as the service would include a stop at the Princess Royal Hospital “For Market Drayton residents this service would also offer a connection to train services from either Whitchurch or Wellington as well as bus connections into Telford town centre – and I know this is a service that Market Drayton residents want and need it will also offer residents from Whitchurch and Wellington the opportunity to visit Market Drayton “The planned funding towards improvements at Market Drayton bus station is an outstanding opportunity for close co-operation with Market Drayton Town Council It would improve the waiting conditions for passengers improve the public toilets and provide a drivers’ rest room This would be an important step as we look towards possible on-demand transport in the town The 64 Market Drayton to Shrewsbury bus service will begin operating more frequently from 5 October 2024 – with the service running once an hour throughout the day will also add in some additional journeys between Market Drayton and Hanley improving the overall connections in the area See the new timetable here The improvements to the 64 service have been made possible by the award of £1.8m from the Department for Transport (DfT) to Shropshire Council following the submission of its updated Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in July 2024 It’s one of many planned improvements to bus services across the county – all of which are included in the BSIP Cabinet member with responsibility for public transport and the views and comments of people in Market Drayton made it clear that the 64 service between Market Drayton and Shrewsbury was one service in great need of investment and improvement “We’ve worked with the current operator Arriva Midlands to introduce much needed frequency improvements along this route As a Market Drayton resident I am very aware of the local need for a more regular bus service on the 64 route and I’m sure that passengers and local people will welcome this change which will provide a much better service for residents and visitors The present £2 single fare offer will make this an affordable as well as a more frequent service “We hope this is just the start of many more improvements to the county’s bus network Müller UK & Ireland is set to make a significant investment in its Market Drayton facility demonstrating a strong commitment to the county and signalling future growth Shropshire Council recently granted planning permission for the substantial expansion a move that has been met with enthusiastic support from both council planners and the local town council The investment is set to significantly enhance Müller’s ability to produce high-quality dairy products at the Market Drayton site which serves as the headquarters for Müller Yogurt & Desserts This development is expected to strengthen the long-term relationship between the multinational business and the county the expansion is anticipated to create new job opportunities providing a welcome boost to the local economy and further solidifying Shropshire’s position as a key hub for food and drink manufacturing Shropshire Council’s service manager for economy stating: “Müller is one of our most high-profile and long-established local employers This considerable investment is a tremendous show of confidence in what Shropshire has to offer major companies that choose to base their operations here This development also promises new jobs and opportunities in one of our key sectors.” Mr Potts added that the council’s Invest in Shropshire team is “committed to providing any ongoing support required.” Müller has been an integral part of Shropshire’s economic landscape for over 30 years has grown in significance and has always been important to the county’s economy and the local community head of engineering – operations at Müller Yogurt & Desserts highlighted the company’s dedication to the area “We are dedicated to supporting the local Shropshire community and investing in our existing sites as we continue to focus on growth and delivering high-quality products to the nation,” he said Mr Ellison expressed excitement about the project “We are excited about this site development and look forward to sharing more details in due course.” Shropshire Live has been providing Shropshire news and entertainment since 2009 We reach tens of thousands of readers per month making us the biggest online-only news publication in the county You can now also listen to Shropshire Live Read more about us For general enquiries and press releases email interact@shropshirelive.com or call 01743 818 095 For advertising opportunities call Fiona on 01743 816 817 or email sales@shropshirelive.com Shropshire Live is regulated by impress Read our Privacy Policy or find out more about our use of cookies and change your personal settings by viewing our Cookies Policy We and our {{count}} partners use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website We may store and/or access information on a device and process personal data audience research and services development we may utilize precise geolocation data and identification through device scanning Please note that your consent will be valid across all our subdomains You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “Consent Preferences” button at the bottom of your screen We respect your choices and are committed to providing you with a transparent and secure browsing experience Police in Market Drayton are responding to concerns over drug dealing specifically in the areas of Burgage Close and the alleyway leading to the Queen Street car park police officers have been conducting door-to-door visits throughout the past week to offer reassurance to those living in the affected areas regular patrols are being increased in an effort to tackle the reported drug dealing The presence of drug dealing extends beyond a simple nuisance Vulnerable young individuals can be drawn into dangerous criminal networks while practices like ‘cuckooing,’ where drug dealers take over the homes of vulnerable residents Market Drayton Crime & Safety Watch is urging all residents in The Burgage and Dairy Close areas to come forward with any information that could aid the police investigation Anyone with details regarding drug activity or other criminal behaviour is encouraged to contact officers directly at marketdrayton.snt@westmercia.police.uk Residents are also reminded of the importance of reporting any suspicious activity immediately by calling 101 for non-emergencies Police have emphasizsd that drug dealing will not be tolerated and that firm action is being taken to address the issue It is estimated that there are around twenty residential CCTV and doorbell cameras within the affected area Owners of these systems are asked to review their footage and contact the police if they have captured any evidence of suspected drug-related or other criminal activity For those who wish to provide information anonymously details about drug dealing can be shared with Crimestoppers 24 hours a day Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a fire in the open involving multiple hedges Emergency services rushed to the scene of Childs Ercall, near Market Drayton at around 5.33pm today to reports of a fire in the open fire service personnel discovered a number of bushes that were alight A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting a fire classified as Fire In Open "1 fire appliance was mobilised from Hodnet Fire service personnel were still on the scene as of 6.28pm Pub company Punch Pubs & Co has proudly added to its growing portfolio with the acquisition of The Crown in Market Drayton will now be part of Punch’s leased and tenanted estate multiple operators Ami Sanobar and Darren Paul who will reopen the pub with former General Managers Nikki and Mike at the helm Darren and their dedicated team to ensure a seamless transition into the Punch estate said: “We’re delighted to have expanded our portfolio with The Crown This is a fantastic pub that is highly valued in the local community It’s great to see Nikki and Mike make their return as General Managers and we know that the team and guests will be equally delighted With Ami and Darren’s experienced leadership we do not doubt that The Crown will continue to thrive for many years to come.” Said to be one of the oldest pubs in the town The Crown boasts a traditional aesthetic with its refurbished wooden interior and has a large beer garden to the rear acting as a suntrap during the warmer months there are three areas offering spaces to dine and drink continued: “I’m looking forward to this new beginning at The Crown and excited to be working with Nikki Mike and the team as they transition into the Punch family and we know that the community takes great pride in it so we’re looking forward to seeing its continued success with many exciting plans in the pipeline.” CLH News is published by RBC Publishing Ltd Contributions are welcome for consideration no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised A petrol station could be coming back to a busy road near Market Drayton Singh Kawr and Baltinder Kalvinder has been submitted plans for the Adastra forecourt, off the A41 in Tern Hill. They say it will replace the former station that closed in July 2019, with the licence returned to Shropshire Council. It will include six spaces for lorries or cars to re-fuel with a choice of either petrol or diesel of various grades as well as four spaces for electric vehicles Rodney Bellamy said the general planning and detail design for the various seas have been provided by John Marsland “He has had significant experience in planning and detailing re-fueling stations both in respect of the content of the whole development and general specification details of the equipment required,” said Mr Bellamy “The colour of the fascias will depend upon which company is successful in tendering for the re-fuelling station.” Mr Bellamy added that as the site is served by two two-way existing lanes off the A41 access to the site in an emergency will not prove to be difficult “The existing sign mast is proposed to be re-used at the south west corner of the site,” he said “It will be re-decorated and the details will be submitted for comment after the new tenant of the site has been appointed.” Comments about the application (25/00509/FUL) can be made up to and including April 23 A new department store has opened in Market Drayton inside a former redundant unit - marking a first for Shropshire Scarborough-based and family-owned department store group W Boyes & Co Ltd has opened its first store in the county inside the former Wilkos shop on Frogmore Road The grand opening of the new store marked a further significant landmark for Boyes with it being their 80th store overall, and bosses have promised to stick around in the North Shropshire town for the long-run shoppers waited eagerly in anticipation as staff and bosses at Boyes cut the ribbon to officially mark the beginning of the company's new venture said it has "built a reputation" for selling a wide range of goods at bargain prices The store offers a range of products through 'everyday essentials' DIY and leisure products and seasonal goods Chairman at Boyes, Andrew Boyes insisted that his company is 'here to stay' in Market Drayton and said he had several residents approach and thank him for opening the new store inside the long-redundant unit He said: "It has come along reasonably quick and we are delighted with it The store looks good and the reaction from customers who came through the door was really positive "I have had a lot of people stopping me and coming up to me to thank us for opening in Market Drayton Obviously it was formerly a Wilkos store before that closed and it was a big loss to the town "We have now filled it and hopefully have a range of 'everyday products' that everybody will like and find useful "The reaction from people to what we have done and what is there has been positive and hopefully it will serve a purpose for the town and become part of the local shopping scene it is a long-term investment as far as we are concerned The shop unit had been empty since September 2023 when the former Wilkos store closed Boyes said it has recruited around 20 local residents to run the new department store Mr Boyes is also excited that his company's latest addition has taken them to a new place in the county "It's quite a way from our base in Scarborough and we are spreading further out as time goes on," he added "It is out first in Shropshire and certainly Market Drayton is a very attractive small town and we are delighted to be here people started coming in and there was a constant flow of people walking in since 9am "There has been that anticipation that we are coming and people have now funnelled into the entrance UK independent fuel supplier Your NRG has announced the opening of its latest depot in Market Drayton strengthening its presence across the Midlands The new site will allow the company to provide even faster more efficient fuel delivery services to customers across the Shropshire Your NRG drivers are ready to support both domestic and commercial customers across the region as part of the company’s wider growth strategy bringing its total number of depots to 18 nationwide “This new depot in Market Drayton reflects our commitment to investing in the regions we serve,” said Lee Reason “It allows us to respond more quickly to local demand and deliver the excellent service our customers rely on — whether they’re heating homes or fuelling businesses.” The Market Drayton depot will enable Your NRG to serve a growing customer base with competitive pricing and a customer-first approach that has seen the business deliver over 3.5 billion litres of fuel across the UK With an increasing focus on localised support and operational efficiency the depot opening ensures Your NRG can continue offering rapid turnaround times and tailored service across rural and urban communities alike we’re proud to strengthen our offering in the Midlands with a reliable “This move helps us deliver peace of mind to our customers ahead of the busy spring period.” A three-bedroom home in Market Drayton will go under the hammer with a low guide price next month This vacant, semi-detached property on Smithfield Road will be auctioned on May 15 with Bond Wolfe Auctions The property has a guide price of just £40,000 Its ground-floor accommodation comprises a hall three bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower The listing adds that the property benefits from having a gas-fired central heating system The property will be sold on May 15 at auction The listing said no offers will be considered prior to the auction sale Viewings of the property will be carried out on a block basis Further information can be found on Rightmove Work to impose a speed reduction outside Market Drayton's high school and sixth form has been completed A new 20mph speed limit has been introduced along Stafford Street and Grove Gardens in Market Drayton as part of a programme to "improve road safety" outside The Grove School and Sixth Form It came after a public consultation by Shropshire Council in January School bosses and civic leaders also backed the scheme with Mayor Roy Aldcroft saying it can be "chaotic" at the start and end of the school day with several buses and cars outside the school when children and parents are coming out Work to install new signs and road markings began on April 7 new parking restrictions have also been enforced to maximise safety Councillor Aldcroft said: "There are lots of lovely new lines along Stafford Street and Grove Gardens to stop people blocking the through route for normal traffic and to keep these spaces open and visible Students will return to school next week after the conclusion of the Easter holidays Headteacher at The Grove School and Sixth Form Mitch Allsopp said the move will benefit everyone within the school's community "We are delighted to see the implementation of the 20mph speed limit outside Grove School and Sixth Form," he said "This is a fantastic step towards ensuring the safety of our children and young people as they travel to and from school "Reducing the speed limit in this area will significantly decrease the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for our children We are grateful to the local authorities for prioritising the wellbeing of our community and taking this important measure." A man has been arrested in Market Drayton after police received reports of a person with a knife West Mercia Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault possession of a bladed article and a public order offence Police presence was seen in the North Shropshire town last Saturday and an area was cordoned off The man has since been released on bail and enquiries are ongoing A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We were called to Market Drayton town centre in the early hours of Saturday morning following a report of a person with a knife "Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether anyone was injured." Punch Pubs & Co have acquired one of the oldest pubs in Market Drayton The Crown in Market Drayton is now part of Punch Pubs & Co's leased and tenanted estate after the company announced the acquisition of the historic town centre pub The Grade II-listed venue is said to have survived a major fire in the town in 1651 and King Charles I is reputed to have stayed there during the Civil War in the previous decade which has around 1,300 leased pubs around the UK who will reopen the pub with general managers Nicky and Mike at the helm A spokesperson for Punch said that Nicky and Mike are "well-known and loved in the community" and will work alongside Ami Darren and their team to "ensure a seamless transition into the Punch estate" "It’s great to see Nikki and Mike make their return as general managers added: “I’m looking forward to this new beginning at The Crown and excited to be working with Nikki The expansion of a yogurt factory in Market Drayton will be a "great boost" for the local economy Council leaders expressed their delight after Müller chose to make a 'significant investment' in its Market Drayton factory Shropshire Council recently granted planning permission to Müller UK & Ireland for a major expansion of its production facilities at the north Shropshire site The scheme will see an existing building at the factory redeveloped to provide extra storage food production and distribution facilities A total of eight jobs could also be created by the development Changes will see the footprint of the existing fruit puree plant expanded to around 2,000 square metres with the addition of a new "silo farm" as well as the demolition of the building's internal floors and "the majority of all internal furniture and fittings" Shropshire Council said the major employer in the region has "demonstrated its commitment" to the county through the investment The scheme has received the backing of civic leaders in the town and Shropshire Council which said it "further establishes Shropshire as a major hub for food and drink manufacturing" The authority added that the development will be a "great boost" for the local economy Matt Potts said: "Müller is one of our most high-profile and long-established local employers This development also promises new jobs and opportunities in one of our key sectors "We welcome the news and the council’s Invest in Shropshire team is committed to providing any ongoing support required." Müller has operated in the county for more than 30 years, with sites at Market Drayton, Minsterley and Telford The company opened its production site in Market Drayton in 1992 and it has since grown to become the headquarters for Müller Yogurt & Desserts head of engineering - operations at Müller Yogurt & Desserts said: "We are dedicated to supporting the local Shropshire community and investing in our existing sites as we continue to focus on growth and delivering high-quality products to the nation "We are excited about this site development and look forward to sharing more details in due course." This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Residents in Market Drayton were provided with advice and free health checks at a wellbeing festival The free-to-attend Health and Wellbeing Festival at the Festival Drayton Centre on April 16 was organised by The Market Drayton Community Enterprise (MDCE) Residents visited various stalls that offered information to improve physical and mental well-being and advice from experts The event's sole focus was health and there was something for everyone with fitness tips advice on relaxation techniques and more on offer Free health checks included hearing tests and blood tests while a mobile NHS van also parked up outside Roy Aldcroft attended the health and wellbeing festival and was amazed by what was on offer and enjoyed chatting to experts on different stalls He said: "It has become a bi-annual event and has certainly been put on the map The range of activities that are there to support wellbeing both mental and physical are quite amazing The fact that you can now get a jab to help "Quite a lot of people made the effort to get there One stall was doing hearing tests which was great "There was a good range and the NHS mobile van attended too." Further work is to be carried out on the A529 in Market Drayton as part of the Government-funded A529 Safer Roads Fund scheme that aims to improve safety between Hinstock and Audlem Work began in October 2019 and has involved various safety improvement measures at key locations From 25 to 29 November 2024 work will be carried out at the Smithfield Road/Longlands Lane mini-roundabout at the A529’s junction with Longlands Lane Work will involve installing kerbs and tactile paving to facilitate widening the footway and providing a more suitable crossing point for pedestrians on the Longlands Lane (northeast) arm The layout of the mini-roundabout road markings will also be adjusted to improve visibility to the northwest towards Smithfield Road From 13 to 17 January 2025 surfacing work will be carried out to improve the approaches to the Adderley Road zebra crossing from the Propsect Road mini-roundabout to the stone railways bridge Spring is in full swing at Hodnet Hall Gardens as visitors begin to flock back to the 60-acre site After being closed for the winter, the green-fingererd team behind Hodnet Hall's 63-acre garden had been working hard to prepare for the return of visitors last month spring has sprung and visitors are flocking back to the vibrant grounds to marvel at magnolias and revel among the roses The gardens, in some form or another, have existed at Hodnet Hall near Market Drayton for many hundreds of years Today the long history weaves throughout the garden taking visitors on a tour through time from the remains of a Norman castle past a 17th century tithe barn and a Tudor stable block and around a daisy chain of pools - largely constructed by members of an army regiment in the 1920s the historic home and the surrounding 63 acres have remained in the Heber-Percy family for centuries Severn Trent Water has apologised to residents in Market Drayton who have experienced poor water supply Engineers were sent to investigate after customers in the TF9 area reported experiencing poorer pressure the water company said it is now "confident" that none of its customers will experience any more interruptions A further update will be provided when works are completed An initial post said: "We’d like to apologise to anyone experiencing poor pressure in the Market Drayton area of Shropshire Our teams are investigating the cause and working hard to get everything back to normal as quickly as possible." A follow-up statement read: "We're pleased to let you know that although we continue to work in the area we're confident no customers should be experiencing any supply interruptions "We will also send a further update once these works are completed We thank you for your continued patience." A brand new events space in Market Drayton will temporarily be home to a beloved brewery’s tap The Stag, a new events space at the heart of Joule’s Brewery and based in Great Hales Street, Market Drayton will be opening its doors as the business’ Brewery Tap for the next four months starting this Friday (April 25) at 5pm It comes after “careful development work” begins at The Red Lion Owners of Joule’s Brewery said customers can expect to see everything they love about The Red Lion its brilliant team and that unmistakable pub atmosphere at The Stag Anna Brakel, development director at Joule’s Brewery said: “We’re proud to be growing here in Market Drayton “Over the past year, we’ve restored The Stag as a Victorian parlour pub and built the new Brewer’s Hall “We look forward to hosting customers from across Shropshire Staffordshire and Cheshire to see how we brew and to experience the heart of our brewery.”  The team behind the business are excited to introduce the temporary home as it is a one-off chance to enjoy The Stag running as a full pub before it becomes what it was truly designed to be – a dedicated events space customers will be able to make the pub their own for the day They can also tailor their booking to the size and feel of each event Terrace or Bar - each with its own charm and feel And the beauty of The Stag launching as a pub temporarily is: customers can get to try before they book The team behind the business invite costumes to see how the pub flows and get a real feel for how their events could unfold To mark this special chapter, Joule’s Brewery is launching a vibrant summer programme at The Stag including beer launches, brewery showcases, themed food nights, live music and more It will also be giving away the first 10 pints of Joule’s beer free every weekday from noon - 1pm all summer long as a way of saying thank you “We’re so excited to welcome everyone into The Stag,” said Chris Turner “It’s a beautiful building full of character and charm I've seen how hard our build team have worked local people creating something special for Market Drayton  The team and I can’t wait to open the doors celebrates hard work and a commitment to Joule's investment into Market Drayton celebration for a passion of brewing and and the joy of bringing people together from the humble pint in a pub Joule’s Brewery has preserved the charm of The Stag including a 200m² purpose-built exhibition space on the lower floor developed in partnership with the Drayton Civic Society It will celebrate Market Drayton’s rich brewing heritage and offer a permanent Market Drayton will soon have a new banking hub after NatWest announced the planned closure of its local branch This move comes as part of LINK’s commitment to preserving cash access especially with the increasing reliance on digital banking the UK’s leading cash access network will establish the hub Market Drayton as a shared space that will function much like a traditional bank branch but be accessible to customers of all banks The hub will feature a Post Office counter service allowing customers to conduct various banking transactions Banks will likely operate on a rotational basis ensuring staff from different institutions are available on different days This will be the second LINK-recommended banking hub in Shropshire following the soon-to-open hub in Whitchurch stating that not everyone can fully utilize digital services Banking hubs provide a crucial solution for those who need face-to-face banking or prefer to handle their finances in person NatWest cited declining branch usage in Market Drayton as the primary reason for its planned closure Customer counter transactions have decreased significantly while a majority of personal customers now prefer online or mobile banking No date has currently been set for the closure of the NatWest branch Firefighters have extinguished a car blaze in Market Drayton Crews were called to a care fire on Adderley Road shortly after 9.40am today (March 19) One fire appliance was mobilised from Market Drayton Fire Station The incident involved a saloon car that was on the roadway Firefighters extinguished the car fire using two hose reel jets while wearing breathing apparatus A dedicated group of volunteers in Market Drayton are continuing to work tirelessly to maintain the beauty of the town's canal Volunteers meet every second Monday of the month to ensure that the town's canal remains a welcoming and picturesque spot for residents and visitors alike Working under the Canal and River Trust who supply equipment and materials maintain hedges and fix any problems that may have occurred volunteers met to give the canal's benches a new lick of paint to ensure that they remain an attractive place to sit for residents and visitors Geoffrey Russell has been volunteering for more than 12 years after he was invited to join in and join the group The former driving instructor said: "We painted benches and handrails but we do all sort of things like cutting the grass cutting branches back if it is overgrowing like with when sign posts are falling over or have rotted "We all live in Market Drayton not far from the canal and if we didn't do it then it wouldn't get done because the Canal and River Trust are that short of money but we do the general maintenance like cleaning the steps down to the canal and keeping it tidy "It is a lovely space and some of us live by the canal and on the houses along the front So it makes sense to keep the space tidy and it is something we like doing it is a very important part of Market Drayton because a lot of boats come and bring a lot of visitors so it is nice when it looks nicer." their work doesn't go unnoticed by residents and civic leaders in Market Drayton who are grateful for their time and efforts Mayor Roy Aldcroft expressed his gratitude to volunteers adding: "They recognise that the canal is one of the key areas for tourists who tent to linger around and to have it looking so good and well-maintained means people actually look forward to coming to Market Drayton and knowing it is going to be tidy "I applaud the work they do combined with the Canal and River Trust which they work closely with I do recognise that doing it throughout the year not just when it is bright and sunny but when it is wet and windy is quite a task and I recognise the commitment they put towards keeping the area looking nice." A new department store will open in Market Drayton inside the former Wilkos unit in a first for Shropshire Scarborough based and family-owned department store, Boyes, has agreed terms to open their first store in Shropshire, and 80th overall, inside the former Wilkos unit on Frogmore Road in Market Drayton The property has been empty since Wilkos closed down and they vacated the premises during September 2023 Preparations are underway for the store's grand opening which is planned for Friday Fitting work is currently underway and Boyes have recruited around 20 locals to work and run the department store The business was founded in 1881 by William Boyes in the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough The business aims to provide a wide range of quality goods at bargain prices Shropshire residents can expect to find 'everyday essentials' DIY and leisure products and seasonal goods inside the store A spokesperson said: "Boyes are confident that the new store will bring something new and different to Market Drayton’s town centre and look forward to becoming an established part of the local shopping scene." A new banking hub is to be set up in Market Drayton after NatWest has announced that it will be closing its branch in the town LINK, who provide the UK’s cash access and ATM network, has announced it will bring a banking hub service to the North Shropshire town aiming to make it easier for residents and businesses to access banking services It is part of the company's wider commitment to protect access to cash, and comes after NatWest has announced it will be closing its Market Drayton branch NatWest will be closing 53 of its branches in total The bank said their decision to close a branch is "always difficult" and not a decision they "take lightly" but reported its findings in Market Drayton NatWest reported: "Comparing October 2019 and October 2024 counter transactions for personal customers have decreased by 44 per cent "71 per cent of personal customers using the branch also chose to use Online Banking or our mobile app between November 2023 to October 2024." A factsheet on the branch's closure added: "LINK has confirmed that a banking hub is recommended in Market Drayton we are committed to keeping this branch open for our customers "We want to ensure access to cash is protected wherever we have customers We work with LINK to carry out cash access assessments in places which might need better cash access services "This means we ask LINK to conduct independent access to cash assessments whenever we close a branch or remove an ATM LINK may also conduct assessments where cash services offered by other providers are removed or where they are requested by the local community." LINK said its banking hub will be a shared banking space the hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions LINK said there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more "complicated matters" which require specialist knowledge or privacy The banks are expected to work on a rotational basis meaning there will be staff from different banks available on different days the British interbank network has recommended for 181 banking hubs to be set up It said that the banking hub in Market Drayton will become the second hub to be recommended in Shropshire by LINK with the first hub in Whitchurch "expected to open soon" Deputy CEO at LINK said: "We’re pleased to recommend this new hub in Market Drayton Cash remains vital to many people and businesses so banking hubs help people who need to access cash or prefer to do their banking face-to-face." Market Drayton's Mayor has given thanks to the current town council after their final meeting last week Town councillors met for the final time at a full council meeting on Thursday Civic leaders discussed a range of news and initiatives in Market Drayton including the town's action plan The town council will welcome some new faces after the local council elections in May A new mayor and committee chairs will also be appointed Speaking after the final meeting of the current Market Drayton Town Council, Mayor Roy Aldcroft said: "Last Thursday saw the final meeting of Market Drayton Town Council ending this latest four years of running services within the town "As Mayor it was an opportunity to thank all the councillors and staff for their hard work and support over the four year term of our council with indoor and outdoor markets thriving facilities for recreation and sport increasing there has been an awful lot of work being done behind the scenes to improve the town Matt Erwin and Adam Sanderson who will standing down this year "I would also like to thank all the voluntary organisations within the town for their commitment to our community as our town continues to grow." There will be no election for the town council in Market Drayton this year All wards for Market Drayton Town Council have been declared as 'uncontested' after only 11 nominations for the 12 seats available at the authority The individuals who have put themselves forward to represent each ward will therefore form the next town council. Plans have been unveiled to revolutionise sports facilities in Market Drayton after a long wait for sports clubs and organisations Members of clubs and other organisations alongside councillors packed inside the Town Hall on Wednesday evening (February 26) to view proposals for major works to improve the town's sporting facilities A group called Active Market Drayton was formed and been working for the past year to consult with clubs on their specific needs and draw up the plans Chair of the group and Shropshire Council's deputy leader Ian Nellins welcomed the many who attended - some critical but most strongly in favour - and set out their vision for the future of sport in Market Drayton He said discussions have taken place several times over the past 20 years he is confident the town is set to see new facilities and said "Market Drayton has been neglected for many years" The cost of the project to upgrade facilities at Greenfields Sports Ground and at The Grove School is estimated at more than £6 million Active Market Drayton has set out its 'initial priority' which is to develop a new multi-sport all-weather pitch at the secondary school - suitable for hockey - and to revamp existing sports ancillary and social facilities on the Market Drayton Sports Association (MDSA) site - based at Greenfields These are 'priorities' due to The Grove School 'lacking' in all-weather facilities for curriculum and after school use and as Market Drayton Hockey Club currently plays at Lilleshall A town centre road in Market Drayton will be closed throughout a day next month for gas works Market Drayton Town Council has notified residents that Shropshire Street will be closed on Sunday Cadent Gas are carrying out gas connection works A description of the works states: "Cadent are carrying out essential works in the road to either connect customers to our network or alter the position of the service pipe to customers properties." A diversion route is available on One Network