ELLESMERE could be set to retain a police presence after the fire service offered the use of its town centre base.
The room at the back of the station on Grange Road is currently under discussion with Shropshire Council offering to cover the rental costs should the plan be realised.
On Thursday, Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore and West Mercia Police’s Chief Constable David Shaw, announced Ellesmere will lose its police station as part of a multi-million pound saving shake-up of services.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond, confirmed he had been in discussions with Mr Longmore offering accommodation at Ellesmere’s retained station, as well as others in Shropshire and Telford.
He said: “Ellesmere is one of our smallest fire stations, but currently there is a room which the police could use and we are in conversation with the policing in those sharing facilities.
“If they want to use it we would have to look at how often they would want to use it, a charge for that, security of the room, size and space - there are a lot of discussions we need to have, but I should imagine it would not take too long to establish.”
Councillor Ann Hartley, who has supported the talks, said the offer to use the site for community purposes had been on the table for several years, adding: “It seemed an obvious solution for the police to relocate into the fire station. It is am absolutely win-win situation and exactly what we need.
“To put two emergency services together would be brilliant. We understand they [West Mercia Police] have huge budget issues, but to bring a positive solution has to be the best way forward.”
Cllr Hartley was due to approach police leaders, including North Shropshire inspector Rik Klair yesterday (Monday) to take the scheme forward before speaking with Mr Longmore when he attends Shropshire Council on Thursday.