A major scheme is transforming a number of buildings on the high street through reinstating historic shop front and repurposing upper floors back into accommodation and lower floors into smaller shop units.

The work will see the properties, some of which have listed status, given a new lease of life thanks to funding from Historic England, Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council.

It will provide a major boost to the town centre, helping it bounce back after the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the properties which is already benefitting from the funding is the Black Gate, where the money has been used to create a new home for a local artisan bakery, Niche Patisserie, headed by semi-finalist of Bake Off: The Professionals, Adam Cleal. As well as the bakery they have opened a tearoom and shop.

Another property to get funding is 20 Church Street, which is been transformed into a new business called Forage.

Linda Clark, who runs vegan restaurant Fat Rabbit, is opening at 20 Church Street – a Grade II Listed building which has developed a beautiful new shop front that reflects the unique shop front that was originally there before being lost.

Other properties that have so far benefited from the grant programme include 32-36 Willow Street, 5-9 Cross Street, 25 Cross Street, 17 Cross Street and 1 Beatrice Street.