Communities across Shropshire are seeing the benefits of major investment that has brought new life to town centres, revitalised cultural landmarks, and strengthened grassroots organisations.
Through the UKSPF Community and Place Priority initiative, Shropshire Council has invested £3.4 million between 2022 and 2025. This funding has supported 28 diverse projects that have made a visible and lasting difference in both town and rural areas.
The initiative, supported by £1.8 million for building and improvement projects (capital funding) and £1.7 million for everyday running costs (revenue funding), was designed to support a wide range of community priorities. These included improvements to public spaces, restoration of heritage sites, support for local arts and culture, and the development of infrastructure for grassroots organisations.
An additional £1.7 million in Rural Funds was also allocated, with 91% of that funding already invested in building projects.
Town centres have been enhanced with new bike access schemes and building improvements designed to boost footfall and local pride. These improvements have enhanced the look and feel of town centres, increased visitors and supported local businesses.
In Shrewsbury a range of projects have been launched to support the Shrewsbury Moves strategy, a 10-year vision to transform movement and public space across the town.
The funding facilitated the development of an eBike subscription service, eCargo bikes for businesses, and a new river shuttle service, all designed to enable residents and businesses to use active modes of transport more often.
Seb Slater, Shrewsbury BID’s executive director, said:
“The funding has helped us hugely in making active travel more accessible and appealing for everyone in Shrewsbury. In its first few months over 14,000km have already been cycled using the Shrewsbury Moves ebike scheme and is a very encouraging start to realising our 10-year vision to make Shrewsbury one of the most inclusive, accessible, and economically thriving towns in the UK.”
Grassroots organisations have benefited from vital infrastructure support, enabling them to expand their services and reach more people. From community kitchens to voluntary sector groups, these organisations are now better equipped to support those in need and foster stronger community ties.
Hands Together Ludlow, a local charity, has used the funding to hire a full-time community and project coordinator to manage and support over 100 volunteers.
Susie O’Hagan, Hands Together Ludlow’s chief operating officer, said:
“Thanks to UKSPF funding, we’ve not only strengthened our volunteer base with better training and support, but the addition of this vital resource has freed us up to do so much more. We’ve also been able to bring together a powerful network of community organisations across Ludlow and improved our outreach and marketing. This investment has helped us reach more people, deliver more services, and lay the foundation for a more connected and resilient town.”
Cultural and heritage assets across the county have also received a new lease on life. Several historic buildings have been restored such as Ellesmere Yard, the Cambrian Station Building in Oswestry, and St Johns Church, Doddington. This work is preserving Shropshire’s rich history while creating new spaces for events and gatherings.
A new roof and restored corbels for the Cambrian Station Building in Oswestry.
These efforts have improved local perceptions and increased visitor numbers, reinforcing the county’s cultural identity.
The programme has also placed a strong emphasis on creativity and inclusion, supporting over 700 community-led arts and cultural events, including community cinemas and activities aimed at engaging hard-to-reach groups. This support has meant that more than 600 new volunteer opportunities have been created, and community engagement has been increased through projects like Flicks in the Sticks (Arts Alive), Civic Crowdfund and the Cultural Compact Grants.
Nature and wellbeing have also been central to the programme’s success. Over 950,000 square metres of green and blue space have been improved, and nearly 11,000 kilometres of cycleways and footpaths have been enhanced or newly created. These improvements have made it easier for residents to enjoy the outdoors, promoting healthier lifestyles and greater environmental awareness.
Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:
“This programme has delivered so many real, tangible benefits to our communities, there are almost too many to mention. But it’s about more than just numbers— it’s been about providing support, making improvements and having a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Shropshire residents. From the feedback we’ve received, it’s been a true success story. I want to thank all of our partners who have delivered the projects using UKSPF funding.”
Further information
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a fund allocated by the UK government and managed by local authorities in partnership with local stakeholders. Its purpose is to replace the funding previously provided by Europe and to address inequalities between communities.
The fund aims to build pride in place and improve life chances. The Community and Place investment priority focuses on restoring community spaces and relationships, laying the groundwork for neighbourhood-level economic development, strengthening the social fabric of communities and fostering pride in place.
Recently, Shropshire was awarded a further £1,431,774 capital and £2,892,904 revenue funding for 2025/6 enabling many of the projects and initiatives to continue for another year.
For more information about the fund see https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/
For more information about the projects supported by the fund in Shropshire see https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-projects/
