Panic as crumbling market in middle of UK town set to deteriorate further' - 167 years old
The council is considering using its powers to pursue enforcement action as the building's private owner is reportedly neglecting its responsibilities.
A market hall in a British town faces further deterioration, experts have warned. The New Market Hall in Bridgnorth's high street, Shropshire, a polychromatic Italianate building, which currently houses a branch of Costa, is a "rare survival of a high-status Victorian commercial structure", the Victorian Society said. It remains standing, while comparable halls in nearby towns like Shrewsbury and Ludlow have been lost. However, it now finds itself in a "perilous condition".
Shropshire Council said it is considering "using its discretionary statutory powers to pursue enforcement action", as the property's private owner has purportedly "failed to complete the repairs". Built between 1855 and 1859, the hall was intended as a multi-functional civic hub, combining market space with offices, public rooms, a town hall and assembly rooms. However, it struggled from the start, with local traders resisting the move indoors, preferring to continue selling in the existing open market square. Attempts by officials to enforce the change led to conflict, including the confiscation of goods and legal action by traders, who successfully defended their traditional rights.
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As a result, the building was repurposed multiple times over its history, serving as offices, stores, workshops and later retail and community uses. In the 20th century it housed, among other things, a supermarket and a Museum of Childhood.
The Victorian Society said: "Today, the building is in very poor condition. Although the ground floor remains partially occupied, the upper levels are vacant and deteriorating. A scheme approved in 2014 to convert the building into a hotel was never implemented, and the absentee owners have taken no meaningful steps to halt its decline. The rear wing is particularly at risk, and emergency scaffolding installed by the local authority in 2022 remains in place, imposing an ongoing financial burden on the council.
"Local concern is growing. Community groups have called for stronger action, including the possibility of compulsory purchase, and there is clear appetite to see the building brought back into active use, potentially as a cultural or community space. Without decisive intervention, however, this important landmark faces continued deterioration.
"The Victorian Society is urging the owners either to bring forward a viable scheme without further delay or to place the building on the market to allow a new custodian to secure its future. At the heart of a thriving town, this is a building that should once again play a central role in civic life."
Griff Rhys Jones, Victorian Society President, said: ‘‘No, no no. Come on. They are building huge enclosed shopping centres which threaten the high street, and here is a purpose-made building on the high street standing by and perfect for small shops, cafes and a new life.
"This is the centre of town. This is the centre of urban life. Stand by and make something of it.”
James Hughes, Director of the Victorian Society, said: “This is a building that was designed to serve the heart of Bridgnorth, and could do so again.
"With the right vision and commitment, it could once again be a focal point for the town. What is needed now is decisive action to secure its future before further damage is done.”
Shropshire Council said: "Shropshire Council has welcomed the inclusion of the Grade II listed New Market Building in Bridgnorth to the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings for 2026, and the national attention this has brought to it. As the Society points out, responsibility for the care and maintenance remains with the absentee private owner, who unfortunately has a demonstrated record of failing to do so.
"The council’s Building Control team had to intervene in 2018, incurring significant public expense to make the building safe and project the public. The owner subsequently failed to complete the repairs following this action and the condition of the building continues to deteriorate as a result.
"Whilst remaining very mindful of the need to limit any further public expenditure, Shropshire Council is therefore once again having to actively consider using its discretionary statutory powers to pursue enforcement action, and is working with Historic England, councillors and local stakeholders to find a resolution for this building."
The Express has contacted Bridgnorth Town Council for comment.
