A new park has opened on the site of Shrewsbury's former Riverside shopping centre, marking the first stage of a wider town-centre regeneration project. The shopping centre closed in February 2024 and was later demolished to make way for the redevelopment.
Riverside Gardens includes seating, improved access to the Frankwell footbridge and a play area featuring a large climbing boulder. The park has been designed to improve drainage in an area prone to flooding, replacing what Shropshire Council described as a "big sealed surface".
Future plans for the site
Shropshire Council said the park would help make the area more attractive to investors as it seeks private funding for future development. The site could eventually include homes, offices, a hotel and leisure facilities.
Rob Wilson, the council's cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said opening the park showed the authority was "ready to do business and develop this area of town".
Further work is planned around the nearby multi-storey car park, bus station and Pride Hill shopping centre, although those projects would depend on securing additional private investment.