Shrewsbury BID and Councillor Alex Wagner are among the voices welcoming new movement on the long-term vacant former House of Fraser building on Shrewsbury High Street, following confirmation that a planning application has been submitted in respect of the upper floors.

The House of Fraser department store – previously ‘Rackhams’ and ‘Joseph Della Porta’ - closed in early 2019, and the prominent town centre building has remained vacant for seven years. Now, the owner - a local investor - has now submitted an application to determine whether prior approval is required for the proposed change of use of the upper floors from Commercial, Business and Service use to residential. Thirty-eight apartments are planned.

It has been confirmed to Shrewsbury BID that the ground floor will remain in retail use.

Councillor Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and local member for the Quarry area, added, “It’s encouraging to see plans progressing to bring this prominent town centre building back into active use, converting the upper floors to residential accommodation while retaining retail potential at ground level.

“This reflects a positive shift in how we view our town centre - not just as a place of daytime retail and commerce, but as a lived-in neighbourhood. Increasing residential presence brings activity, natural surveillance and a stronger sense of vitality, helping ensure the centre remains active and supported beyond traditional trading hours.”

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, said, “It’s great to see things starting to move in the right direction for this large town centre unit, which has been vacant for seven years. This is a key part of the High Street, and we very much hope to see a tenant move into the ground floor unit soon, so that this prominent area can be brought back into full and active use.

“Bringing forward additional residential accommodation in the town centre is also positive for our business community. The more people who live within close walking distance of our retail, hospitality and service businesses, the more day-to-day local support those businesses can benefit from. A stronger residential base helps underpin a more resilient town centre economy.”

The planning application can be viewed online via Shropshire’s planning portal. Comments can be made via the portal and may be included within written committee reports or read at public meetings of the committee.

View the planning application