Change of direction for former Lord Hill public house in Dawley
One of the most recognisable buildings in Dawley is now set to have a new owner and be transformed into a restaurant in Dawley High Street.
This follows negotiations between Telford & Wrekin Council, Great Dawley Town Council and the prospective new owners, who cannot be named yet for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
The former Lord Hill public house was due to be purchased by Great Dawley Town Council as part of Telford & Wrekin Council's Pride in Your High Street initiative and was to be brought back into community use.
Great Dawley Town Council has now decided not to purchase the building following discussions with the third party and recognise that the new owners would be able to use the site as a commercial business far quicker than their own proposal could.
The discussions taken place have also guaranteed that the £100,000 allocated from the Pride in Your High Street Fund for improvements to Dawley High Street is not lost and Dawley will benefit from this Funding giving the High Street a new focus.
Great Dawley Town Council and Telford & Wrekin Council are currently agreeing the path for identification of further projects and a grant application will be submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council in due course.
Councillor Shaun Davies, chairman of Great Dawley Town Council, said: “The Town Council did not want to prohibit business growth for the new owners and their plans for renovating the building into a new restaurant.
“We are very excited at the prospect of this restaurant opening in Great Dawley. The Town Council will be working very hard to ensure the £100,000 is spent on other projects that will enhance, as well as make a positive contribution to our High Street.”
Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “This is the best solution for all parties involved in the negotiations and will give a real lift to the centre of Dawley as well as paving the way for more investment in the High Street.
Telford & Wrekin Council has already announced 21 projects borough-wide that will benefit from the Pride In Your High Streets fund and is currently working with communities in Donnington, Oakengates and Wellington on how the remaining money will be spent.
