Controversial plans for the town’s first lap dancing club have been shelved and the proposed venue is now for sale – the Chronicle can reveal.
Telford-based Gemini Games Ltd was given the green light by planning inspectors in December to turn the upper two floors of Central Hall in Castle Gates into an exotic dancing club.
But the property has now been put on the market after Gemini Games pulled out.
The three-storey building, which used to house the Shropshire Business Centre and Powerpoint electrical company, is vacant and on the market for £495,000.
Toby Shaw, partner of Towler Shaw Roberts Surveyors, said his company had been instructed by the owner of the building to advertise the property.
He said he understood it was because Gemini Games were not taking the lap dancing club forward and the owner had reviewed the situation.
“Gemini Games will not be opening it as a lap dancing club. I gather planning permission was given but access had to be from Castle Gates which I think might have put them off.
“My client, a private individual from Telford, has decided he will offer it for sale with vacant possession.”
The initial application for the ‘upmarket gentleman’s club’ was thrown out by the borough’s development control committee in April 2007 amid claims the site was unsuitable.
But the decision was overturned on appeal last December and was met with a cry of outrage from borough councillors, local businesses and Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski.
Councillor Stephen Williams, for the Castlefields and Quarry ward, said he was delighted the owners had decided to sell the venue.