ONE of the oldest and most iconic buildings in Oswestry will be bought by the town council after members agreed the purchase for £75,000.

Following the closure of Toni & Guy hairdressers, the Grade I listed Llwyd Mansion, at the junction of Bailey Street and Cross Street, has sat empty and waiting for a new owner to take over.

Councillors debated the purchase of the 15th century building when they met last night (Wednesday, April 19) with members split in regards to the emergency works that are needed, as well as the maintenance and custody of the site.

Councillor John Price said: “We don’t know what this building can be. It is really restricted but still a beautiful building.

“Given it to a trust is a great idea as I don’t think the council should take it on.”

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Councillor Frank Davis supported that idea and said the council should not have responsibility for the building.

He said: “I know someone has to look after it, but I just don’t think the council should.

“It is not rentable, so we would not make the money back, and I don’t think we should have the responsibility.”

Town clerk, Arren Roberts explained that the purchase could be deferred, but that they needed to be clear with the estate agents on whether they wanted to purchase the building, which is one of the oldest in Oswestry.

But other councillors disagreed with the idea of letting the building go to waste or fall into the wrong hands.

Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Jay Moore said he felt like the council was “getting cold feet” and asked the room what is the other iconic building in town and who owns it.

One of the councillors replied: "The Guildhall."

He said: “All the emails that come in about the other buildings, we will keep getting them as people think of us as custodians.

“The other just as iconic building in town, as we all agree, is the Guildhall, and we own it.

“We need to take action now – I don’t trust anyone else to take on this building.”

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Councillor Josh Cockburn agreed with the mayor, and called the building one of town’s “anchors”.

He said: “If no-one saves it, it will fall down, and it will create a great deal of damage to the town,” he said.

“We are the best people to look after it until economically the world changes, we just need to step in now.”

The issue was then put to a vote by the town clerk, and the motion to go forward with the purchase was approved.