Shirehall, Shrewsbury, Municipal facility in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Shirehall is a civic building in Shrewsbury featuring continuous strips of glazing interrupted by concrete panels, with an oval-shaped council chamber extending outward from the main block. The structure shows clear modernist proportions and straightforward lines typical of its era.
The building was completed in the mid-1960s to replace the older Shirehall in Market Square that had become too small for the county administration. It addressed the need for expanded facilities to support growing government operations.
The entrance hall displays a cast iron relief by Rosalind Alexander showing different industries that shaped Shropshire, reflecting the region's working heritage.
The site provides short-term parking on one side of the building and longer-term spaces at the rear, with separate motorcycle parking available. Visitors should plan their timing around normal office hours when the building is open for public access.
The building occupies the former grounds of Nearwell country house, which was demolished to make way for this civic structure. This transformation of the site from private residence to public administration reflects how urban spaces have been repurposed over time.
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