A high street shop, which has been empty for three years, has been branded an eyesore by town councillors.
The shop at 29 High Street is said to be covered in thick dust and the fascia board is hanging down – which councillors claim poses a danger to pedestrians.
The lease is due to expire in November, with Shrewsbury- based agents Pooks advertising the shop to let for £11,000 per annum.
It was previously occupied by Martin newsagents which is now located in the Co-op.
Wem mayor Pauline Dee said the condition of the shop had been put onto the agenda for the next town council meeting set to take place tonight, Thursday, at 7.15pm at the Senior Club, Chapel Street.
Councillor Dee said: “The state of the shop is disgusting, the town council wrote to Pooks to ask them if something could be done about it. The lease is still running and the owners are getting the rent and business rates paid so they’ve got no incentive to let it for less rent.
“They won’t let it at the rate they’re asking as it’s too expensive for Wem, the price puts people off.
“It’s terrible to have it empty – one councillor paid to have the windows cleaned and the Keep Wem Tidy group was thinking of going in and cleaning it. People have been drawing on the windows in the dust because it’s so thick.
“The fascia board is hanging down – what happens if it hits somebody? Pooks said the letting contract doesn’t include maintenance so they’ve written to the current agents.”
The property which is set over three floors is described as a retail premises with consent for financial and professional services.
Charles Howell, from Pooks, said: “We are acting as agents in trying to find a tenant for the existing tenants. We’ve passed the town council’s concerns onto Hitchcock, Wright & Partners, the agents in Liverpool. We are waiting for a reply.”
Nobody from Hitchcock, Wright & Partners was available for comment at the time the Chronicle went to press.