Shrewsbury is already known to many as a great town but that mantle could soon become official after the town beat off stiff competition to make it to the final stages of a prestigious national competition.
Shrewsbury has been shortlisted, alongside Falmouth and Galway in Ireland, for the Academy of Urbanism’s Great Town Award.
Judges recently visited the town and were treated to a guided tour of Shrewsbury which included some of the town’s best known attractions including the Quarry & Dingle, the market and Draper’s Hall.
The prestigious awards are held annually by the Academy, whose members include leading UK urban designers, architects, planners, community activists, councillors, engineers, and developers.
In May of this year, at its Annual Congress in Glasgow, the Academy announced shortlisted finalists for the titles of European City of the Year, Great Town, Great Neighbourhood, Great Street and Great Place 2013.
The results will be announced in London on November 9.
Town bosses say scooping the award would be a shot-in-the-arm for Shrewsbury.
Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council said: “To be considered as one of the top three towns across the whole of the UK is incredible in its self, but to win the award would really put Shrewsbury on the map.
"We are constantly striving to find new and innovative ways to promote our wonderful town as a prime location to live, work and invest in and this nomination proves we must be doing something right.
"Winning the Great Town Award would be such a shot-in-the-arm for the town both in terms of reputation and in regards to the local economy. We really enjoyed showing the judges around our lovely town and look forward to finding out the results in the autumn.”
]]>
