Shropshire news

• Refurbished Bishop’s Castle swimming pool to open on Friday

  15-07-2026 14:16 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  The newly refurbished swimming pool
  Work to refurbish the swimming pool at Bishop’s Castle Arts and Leisure Centre (also known as SpArC) is now complete – with the pool set to reopen to the public on Friday 17 July [2026].
  The work – carried out by Shropshire Council – has included installing a new pool lining, a new pool surround, repainting, and the installation of a new pool filtration system and pumps.
  Essential repairs to the building’s roof and the installatio
  
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• Shifnal kennels owner prosecuted for animal welfare offences

  17-07-2026 14:51 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  A Shifnal man who owned and ran a dog boarding kennels has received a 12 month custodial sentence (suspended for 12 months) and 10-year disqualification from keeping any animals, which cannot be appealed for five years, following an investigation by Shropshire Council’s licensing team.
  He was further ordered to pay £1,000 of the council’s legal costs and a victims surcharge of £187.
  Billy Woodhouse, who ran Hatton Boarding Kennels in Shifnal, pleaded guilty at two hearing
  
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• Cabinet agrees next steps to sell former Shropshire Council HQ in Shrewsbury

  17-07-2026 11:06 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  Shropshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed to take urgent steps towards the sale and disposal of Shirehall, the council’s former headquarters in Shrewsbury. 
  The decision was made at a special Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 14 July 2026, following consideration of a report on the future of the building and wider site. 
  Shirehall in Shrewsbury.
   
  Cabinet agreed in principle to the sale and disposal of the Shirehall site, with minimum conditions attache
  
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• Full Council reports set out Shropshire Council’s financial position, progress and next steps

  16-07-2026 15:31 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  A series of important and closely linked reports considered by Shropshire Council’s Full Council today, Thursday 16 July 2026, set out the scale of the financial challenge facing the council, the ongoing action being taken to support recovery, and the progress made to date. 
  The reports include the Financial Outturn 2025/26 and the Audit and Governance Committee’s Annual Assurance Report to Council 2025/26. Both look back at the previous financial year and re
  
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• New wellbeing service helping Shropshire residents get support earlier

  16-07-2026 12:29 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  Residents across Shropshire are already benefiting from a new wellbeing service that helps people get the right support earlier, before worries or day-to-day challenges become harder to manage. 
  Launched in April 2026, The Shropshire Wellbeing and Navigation Network, known as SWANN, brings together friendly, practical support for adults who may be feeling isolated, finding life more difficult, recovering after a stay in hospital, living with a long-term health condition, or suppor
  
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• 'Keeping 87 dogs cool from the heat is a challenge'

  16-07-2026 07:24 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Shropshire branch of The Dogs Trust's gives advice amid 2026's record-breaking temperatures.
  
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• Dad donates part of liver to save daughter's life

  16-07-2026 07:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A dad donated a fifth of his liver in operations which took place at the same time at two hospitals.
  
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• 'No clues' after mountain search for teen resumed

  15-07-2026 23:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Mountain rescuers appeal to people to get in touch if they notice objects that may be connected to George Smyth.
  
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• New national guidance reinforces Energize STW’s vision to help people move more every day

  15-07-2026 17:56 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  News from our partners
  People across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are being encouraged to build more movement into everyday life, following updated physical activity guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers.
  Exercising outdoors
  The refreshed guidance, published on 10 July, confirms that any regular movement can support better physical and mental health. It places renewed emphasis on sitting less, moving more throughout the day, and maintaining strength and balance at every stage of life.
  
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• Read to the Beat in Shropshire Libraries this summer in the Summer Reading Challenge

  15-07-2026 17:31 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  Shropshire Libraries, supported by the Shropshire Council Early Years Team, and the Summer Reading Challenge invite children up to the age of 11 years to visit their local library, discover new books, explore the joy of music through reading and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat!
  Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026
  This year, The Reading Agency is partnering with Universal Music Group UK to bring Read to the Beat! to life. Illustrated by award-winning au
  
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• Shropshire Council issued with Best Value Notice

  15-07-2026 16:34 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has today (15 July 2026) issued a Best Value Notice to Shropshire Council.
  The Notice is a formal notification that MHCLG has concerns about the council and its financial position. There are also concerns about leadership capacity, governance, and culture which were identified in reports from the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and External Auditor in 2025.
  The council already has plans in place to address these concerns, including a
  
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• Shropshire Council asks children, young people and families to help shape future services at The Big Listen event

  15-07-2026 16:00 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  On Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 August, venues across Shropshire will take part in The Big Listen, two days of activities and events where children, young people and families will be asked to share their feedback to help improve children’s services in Shropshire.
  The two dates coincide with the National Day of Play and International Youth Day respectively. As well as enjoying fun events and activities, including sports, crafts, cooking and story times, participants will be invited to share
  
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• MP asks Starmer to back college funding bid

  15-07-2026 14:19 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Shrewsbury College is on its third attempt to secure capital funding for a new construction centre.
  
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• Domestic abuse calls increase – support for those affected

  15-07-2026 13:19 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  Shropshire Council and local partners are reminding residents that support is available for anyone affected by domestic abuse, following an increase in calls to the local helpline during the World Cup period.
  Domestic abuse is never caused by football, the World Cup, alcohol or stress. Responsibility always lies with the person choosing to use abusive behaviour.
  However, major sporting events can be a time when existing abuse escalates or when people feel less safe at home.
  Recent figures show t
  
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• Fewer flowers warning due to extreme weather

  15-07-2026 07:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The flowers have been put under significant stress because of this year's cold spring and heatwaves.
  
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• Gnome-town heroes deliver planters to high street shops

  15-07-2026 07:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  "Operation Gnome" is part of efforts to attract more people to Whitchurch's high street.
  
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• Saints can't dwell on Champions League exit - Harrison

  15-07-2026 07:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Craig Harrison demands a rapid response from The New Saints when they face Flora Tallinn after their Champions League exit.
  
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• Mobile game to be offered to children with anxiety

  14-07-2026 18:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  It is available via Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
  
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• Train shortage sees some services cancelled

  14-07-2026 17:28 via bbc.co.uk
  
  There is a shortage of trains due to repairs being done on air conditioning, TfW says.
  
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• Former council HQ to be put up for sale

  14-07-2026 17:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  It comes after a cabinet meeting today which discussed an independent review into its future.
  
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• No plans to house asylum seekers in army barracks

  14-07-2026 13:20 via bbc.co.uk
  
  MP Mark Pritchard has addressed rumours in the House of Commons.
  
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• Partnership approach to explore ways to alleviate flood risk to town and homes

  14-07-2026 11:33 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  Shropshire Council, through the Marches Forward Partnership (MFP), is working with partners to explore a new scheme in Gobowen to reduce flooding, protect major infrastructure and help unlock new housing.
  The work brings together the infrastructure provider, the local community and the developer behind a proposed 250-home site through the Marches Forward Partnership, which is supporting and co-ordinating discussions.
  The option being developed would create new areas to hold back water during hea
  
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• Cabinet approves proposals for new strategy to raise education standards in Shropshire

  14-07-2026 10:32 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  Shropshire Council’s Cabinet has approved proposals to implement a new education strategy to elevate education standards across the county.
  The Shropshire Children Achieving and Thriving in Education Strategy is a three- year strategy that will be rolled out from September 2026 and will ensure that all Shropshire children and young people have equal access to high-quality education and robust safeguarding across the county’s schools and educational settings. It will support education
  
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• Do not put phones in the fridge, warns repair shop

  14-07-2026 07:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Jamie Farnell says he is inundated with phone repairs, "almost all of them" due to the heat.
  
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• Meeting to decide future of former council HQ

  14-07-2026 07:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Councillors will discuss a report, including an independent review, before making a decision on the site.
  
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• Shrewsbury sign Luton striker Gbode on loan

  13-07-2026 18:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Shrewsbury Town make their seventh signing of the summer with a season-long loan deal for Luton Town striker Joe Gbode.
  
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• 'Air ambulance saved me, now I want to give back'

  13-07-2026 14:13 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Dean Harris says the charity was crucial in saving his life after the crash in June 2025.
  
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• Grennan to move headline gig if England make final

  13-07-2026 13:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The venue says ticket holders will be given an update following the semi-final on Wednesday.
  
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• Shropshire commemorates Remembering Srebrenica Day 2026

  13-07-2026 12:26 via newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk
  
  Schoolchildren from Mereside Primary School in Shrewsbury joined with Shropshire Council and faith representatives in an interfaith ceremony to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide, on Tuesday 7 July at 10am, at the memorial cherry tree planted outside Shirehall in Shrewsbury.
  Remembering Srebrenica cherry tree planting ceremony
  The ceremony is held every year at the tree, which formally commemorates the role of the armed forces in humanitarian efforts including the genocide that befell the Musli
  
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• Driver arrested after pedestrian dies in crash

  13-07-2026 09:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The pedestrian, a woman in her 70s, died from her injuries at the scene, West Mercia Police says.
  
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