In their recently revamped newsletter, the society offers its opinions on the developments on the Smithfield site on Shrewsbury Road.

Through the newsletter, the society express their concerns that the development might cost Oswestry its market town heritage, but back the plans for a cinema and family restaurant.

It reads: "Looking at the plans for the livestock market, I felt that there were a number of positive features in the proposals.

"The idea of a cinema and family restaurant is attractive.

"The town needs extra parking and this, associated with a Park and Ride scheme, would be excellent, but only if the picking up and setting down points could be sited in the car park.

"However, I am less certain that Oswestry needs more office space.
"A number of premises in the town stand empty at present," it adds.

Detrimental

The article raises the question of whether Oswestry needs a large supermarket and other retail outlets on the edge of town.

Commenting on the Chamber of Trade's concerns that the development could be detrimental to the town centre, the society say: "If the development goes ahead and the community takes no action to respond to the challenge, then the town centre will undoubtedly suffer."

It concludes: "We now need to come together to make Oswestry the natural place in north west Shropshire for visiting, recreation and shopping."