History

Shrewsbury Town Council has enjoyed 16 years serving the local community. In 2024, the town was acknowledged by the Academy of Urbanism as winner of the “Great Town” award after being shortlisted alongside Bath and Lewes. The Town Council’s catchment area includes the whole of Shrewsbury town centre and adjoining residential areas. With a population of nearly 80,000 it is one of the largest town councils in England.

The Town Council is responsible for horticultural services, The Quarry and bandstand, numerous small parks, sports pitches, recreation grounds, allotments, green spaces, community facilities, bus shelters, street lighting and public toilets. Working in partnership with Shropshire Council, the Town Council manages Shrewsbury Market Hall which was voted as Britain’s Favourite Market for 2025. Other key responsibilities of the Town Council include working with event promoters to host a programme of major events; safeguarding the public with security task groups and acting as a public body on visioning groups such as The Big Town Plan which focuses on enhancing the long-term viability of Shrewsbury.

The Town Council has created a youth council working with young people to consider key issues such as climate change and the provision of public transport that help make the town accessible for all age groups and demographics. Supporting the youth councillors is the Youth & Community Manager who works with volunteers to provide opportunities for young people at the Grange Youth Centre.

The Town Council is also proud that Shrewsbury enjoys a reputation as the “Town of Flowers.” Most recently the town secured a place in the 2025 Britain in Bloom finals alongside the Heart of England in Bloom entry. Other Shrewsbury in Bloom successes include winning the Champion of Champions category and the Entente Florale European competitions.

The Council also continues to uphold the historic civic traditions upheld by former Borough Mayors. The Mayor is the First Citizen of the town and is often called upon to help promote local charities or causes. It is an impartial role that is not dictated by any political preference. In addition to his or her duties as amabassador for the town, the Mayor also has a civic role to perform as the Chairman of the Council. The mayoral history in Shrewsbury dates back as far as 1638.

Shrewsbury is a vibrant town with a long-distinguished history. First recorded in a Charter of 901, Shrewsbury developed as a market town aided by the natural defensive qualities of a large meander in the River Severn.

The town has a population of close to 80,000 and is surrounded by the ancient Shropshire hills of the Stiperstones, the Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge and the Wrekin.

Currently, Shrewsbury is being redeveloped in the town centre to create commercial opportunities and new green spaces. Following consultations as part of the Big Town Plan, the Riverside and Pride Hill shopping centres closed last year to start an ambitious regeneration project between The Darwin centre, Roushill, and the River Severn in the Shrewsbury town centre. The town experiences a lively nightlife based around the numerous pubs, bars and restaurants. Other highlights of Shrewsbury include The Quarry (the town’s municipal park designed by Percy Thrower), the Abbey made famous in the Brother Cadfael detective novels of Ellis Peters and the annual international Shrewsbury Flower Show. The all-purpose Theatre Severn on the west of the town attracts over 200,000 visitors a year.