Town 'needs more help'

Town 'needs more help'

Tyre company ATS has closed in Whitchurch

A businessman has warned the Shropshire town of Whitchurch could become a "ghost town" if it does not receive more help.

The tyre company ATS has just closed its depot in the town's Mill Street saying it was not viable to continue trading.

Bob Porter, its regional operations manager, said other businesses have also folded and more could follow suit.

He told BBC Radio Shropshire: "The council have known about this now for two weeks and nobody but nobody has tried to contact me or the company and done anything to try and keep us there.

Attracting businesses

"That's sad really because its a lovely little town."

He added: "You look at the neighbouring North Shropshire towns such as Oswestry and Market Drayton are thriving but Whitchurch is going downhill."

But the town's mayor, Marion Windwood, said North Shropshire District Council are working hard to attract manufacturing businesses to Whitchurch.

The mayor said industry in the town still has a strong future.