Budget reductions, part of the overall spending pressures on Shropshire Council, require a major adjustment in staffing and functions at Shropshire Archives. Inevitably this means a reduction in the service’s opening hours.

Our current opening hours are:

In recent years the number of actual visitors to Shropshire Archives has gradually declined to an apparent steady figure of approximately 10,000. The current opening on Thursday evening is generally not well used. Saturdays vary in use, but most users do not stay for the whole day. The proposal is to reduce opening hours to 20 hours a week (currently 30) following one of the three options shown below. If options A or B are agreed staffing levels during opening hours will be reduced from 2pm providing a library style service, without access to original documents.

This reduction in opening hours will ensure that the service can continue with other essential behind the scenes cataloguing and conservation work which supports public access to archives. An enquiry service will continue to be maintained from Tuesdays to Fridays. Local History Centres housed in a number of libraries and other venues across the county will also continue to provide access to their local and family history resources.

A final decision on the options following the consultation, will be made by the Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Commissioning (North) at a decision making session.

Shropshire Archives will be closed from Sunday 30 March to Tuesday 15 April with the agreed new opening hours starting from the week beginning Monday 14 April. This closure period will allow staff to work on a planned move of archives and records to a refurbished store and to complete essential staff training following the restructure.

We are seeking people’s views on three options and inviting them to suggest a fourth.

Take a look at the options and then tell us what you think on the 'how to get involved' page.