A VACANT Oswestry premises is being converted into nine flats and refurbished commercial units, Shropshire Council has announced.

The former Dorothy Perkins on Cross Street, Oswestry will see its commercial unit on the ground floor refurbished, with nine one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats on the upper levels.

The property has been under Ultrahaven Ltd ownership for several years and now, along with local architects DPA design and TED builders, is being renovated.

Ben Blake, from DPA design, said: "This flagship building is directly besides the iconic Grade I listed Llwyd Mansion building, and the development is nearing completion.

"The upper floors had remained vacant for many years and had suffered from neglect, but new life has been breathed into them.

"The flats offer convenient town centre living, whilst situated close to outstanding historic buildings."

The works have also received funding from the High Street Heritage Action Zone Scheme (HSHAZ), funded by Historic England, Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council, and is being delivered through the Future Oswestry Group, which is comprised of representatives from Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID (Business Improvement District).

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Ben continued: "The next phase is to replace the whole of the ground floor shopfront, which will complete the shell of the exciting, flexible space for the retail tenant to fit out.

"The expertise of Shropshire Council’s historic environment team has been an invaluable resource in sourcing funding and advice, to ensure that the finished project enhances the historic core of this fabulous market town."

Ben and the development team have also played a positive role upon the local wildlife in Oswestry, and have installed several swift nest boxes to ensure that red listed species have somewhere to rear their young when they return from their wintering grounds in the spring.

Councillor Jay Moore, Mayor of Oswestry, said:"This is a prominent building in the heart of the town centre which has needed investment.

"I am pleased that the High Street Heritage Action Zone funding, including Oswestry Town Council’s contribution, is making a tangible difference to the appearance of Cross Street."

Some of renovations will take place in the flats above the Nightingales shop.

However, the charity store will not be closing as part of the work.

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