Project Background

 The Music Hall is situated in the town Square and currently provides a 400 seat auditorium, dance studio, photographic gallery, four function areas, café, bar and Tourist Information Centre.

The complex occupies two groups of buildings:

1) the 13^th century Vaughan's Mansion and a number of 19^th Century buildings

2) the 1840 Music Hall and public rooms and the Livery Keepers house, former Salop Fire Office building and more recent nuclear bunker.

In 2008/9 the Music Hall will undergo redevelopment to incorporate the Shrewsbury Museums collection, art gallery, Tourist Information Centre, café and public toilets. Redevelopment will follow the opening of the New Entertainment Venue in 2008, when current theatre operations will vacate the complex and transfer to the NEV. There are also concurrent plans to lease out the Museum Services' current accommodation at Rowley's House. The Museum Service and gallery will subsequently transfer operations into the Music Hall complex once redevelopment has been completed.

The redevelopment is envisaged as offering a 'seamless' connection between visitor information, museum collections and historical interpretation. It will seek to maximise opportunities for users and visitors to spend time in, understand and explore Shrewsbury and Shropshire and will make a major contribution to the cultural and economic vitality and diversity of the town and county.

For further details about the relevant services see:

• Music Hall: www.musichall.co.uk
• Museum Services: www.shrewsburymuseums.com
• Tourist Information: www.visitshrewsbury.com

The establishment of this comprehensive range of visitor-related services at the Music Hall will complement the success of the Old Market Hall rejuvenation and the emerging programme of events and specialised markets in the Square.