LOYAL TO LOCAL – IRONBRIDGE
Ironbridge Ironbridge High Street, which stretches along the Wharfage and beyond, is steeped in history with independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants housed in buildings dating back to Georgian and Victorian times. It sits at the heart of Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting 1.3 million people each year, most of whom take the opportunity to walk across the world’s first cast iron bridge, dating back to 1779. Other attractions include the home of Merrythought Teddy Bears, the world-famous teddy manufacturer, which launched in 1930 and is currently based at the same location. Among its shops, The Bolthole sells furniture refurbished by Jay Blades, host of BBC’s The Repair Shop. Ironbridge has seen considerable upgrades to its shop fronts in recent years thanks to the Telford & Wrekin Pride in Our High Street programme, bringing shop frontages back to life, painting them in heritage colours and restoring original features. A handful of retailers have also received high street start up funding, so that new businesses are supported to flourish alongside those that are already established.
“It’s great to see new shops open on our high streets, small businesses help our local economy and create jobs. It’s vital we keep supporting our high street businesses, as for every £10 spent, £3.85 stays local”. Councillor Eileen Callear Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Employment and Skills (Labour)
TOTALLY TELFORD
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