North Shropshire District Council’s Edinburgh House HQ is set to become the base for Wem’s law enforcers with a decision on the future of the building imminent.
The offices on New Street have been a home to the authority since July 1989 when they were opened by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. But the council will be absorbed into the new Shropshire Council next April.
North Shropshire Inspector Sarah Wagstaff, from West Mercia Police, has revealed that Wem’s police station on Barnard Street is set to close and that a move to Edinburgh House was ‘almost certain’.
Other organisations including the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Age Concern are also thought to be involved in negotiations.
Speaking at a public meeting in Wem on Tuesday night Inspector Wagstaff said: “There’s been a lot of rumours going around the town that we’re going to move to Edinburgh House as a police station.”
She added: “Wem Police Station is closing and we’re moving possibly to Edinburgh House. It’s a little bit more central. A lot of people don’t find it where it is at the moment. It’s almost certainly going to happen.”
NSDC has been in existence since 1974, but will be merged along with four other districts and Shropshire County Council to form the new unitary authority.
Rian Huxley, from North Shropshire District Council, confirmed that West Mercia Police were in talks and that Age Concern and CAB were also involved in consultations. She said: “We are expecting a decision within the next couple of weeks.” It is not yet confirmed when the move would take place.
The news has been welcomed by Chris Mellings, County Councillor for Wem, who said: “This is a great opportunity to improve local police facilities as well as ensuring Edinburgh House is fully used as the new Shropshire Council comes into being.”
No one from CAB nor Age Concern was available for comment as the Chronicle went to press.