A patch of Abbey Foregate that's sat forgotten for years is about to get a new lease of life - as a public 'pocket park' for everyone to enjoy, thanks to a partnership between Shrewsbury Business Improvement District and a local businessman.

The vacant site, currently fenced off between Hair 21 and the railway bridge, will be transformed into a welcoming public space: with planting and a comfortable seating area at the front for people to stop, rest and catch up with neighbours, and a community garden behind it for those who live in the town centre but lack garden space. The space will also feature free high-speed public WiFi, lighting, secure cycle storage and a Brompton bike hire station.

The land is owned by local businessman Martin Monahan, who will coordinate the setup of the space, working with local charitable group the Shrewsbury Men's Shed, which exists to tackle male loneliness by bringing men together to work on practical projects. Work will begin later this week to clear the site, with phase one involving the removal of fencing before beginning groundworks to ready the site for public seating and a new community garden.

The project is funded by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, backed by capital funding from UK government through the UKSPF Supporting Local Community & Place Fund. The partners expect the space to be available for public use by the end of September.

It comes alongside a wider programme of area enhancements already announced for Abbey Foregate and marks a further step in transforming this gateway to Shrewsbury into a more welcoming, pleasant and greener space.