Long-vacant Oswestry building to be restored through grant

Located at 3 Willow Street in Oswestry town centre, the property was revived thanks to funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Property Improvement Grant, delivered by Invest in Shropshire to support economic growth.

The building had stood vacant for some time before being purchased in February 2025.

When the new owners took possession, it was deemed uninhabitable due to the removal of electrics and plumbing, and major structural damage uncovered after stripping internal plaster.

Jodie Lamont, recipient of the grant, said: "When we first took on the building, the scale of the structural issues was a real concern.

"The grant funding has been crucial in making the property safe and preventing further deterioration.

"It has stopped costs spiralling and has allowed us to move forward with confidence.

"We hope to pursue further development funding options to complete the remainder of the refurbishment."

Cracks and movement throughout the structure required urgent intervention.

A structural engineer was brought in to develop a stabilisation plan, amid concerns that further delays could lead to complete structural failure, escalating repair costs, and jeopardising the viability of the building.

The grant funding allowed critical repairs to be undertaken immediately, including the installation of seven steel beams, replacement of rotten roof components, and repairs to the roof and front elevation.

The works stabilised the property and prevented further damage.

Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said: "The purpose of this grant is to restore empty buildings so they become safe, usable commercial spaces again.

"Initiatives like these are precisely what the Property Improvement Grant aims to encourage, alongside the broader benefits such as boosting the local economy and revitalising our market towns and High Streets."

The Property Improvement Grant scheme offered grants of between £2,000 and £10,000, covering up to 50 per cent of eligible improvement costs.

It formed part of a broader UKSPF-funded programme focused on supporting town centre regeneration and growth in Shropshire.

The Willow Street project highlights the role that targeted investment in property improvements can play in unlocking the economic potential of underused buildings and supporting the regeneration of high streets.