Shrewsbury Drapers Company
Contents
The Drapers' Hall
10 St. Mary's Place,
Shrewsbury
SY1 1DZ
Charity No's: 213372 233903
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HOLY CROSS DEVELOPMENT
The five almshouses at the Holy Cross by Shrewsbury Abbey were designed by Samuel Pountney Smith and built in 1853. Recognised as architectural classics of their era they have been in continuous use as almshouses for the elderly or disadvantaged since then.
The site of the almshouses is immediately adjacent to Shrewsbury Abbey and includes bowling greens, a social club and land suitable for development. The Shrewsbury Drapers have been planning for a considerable period to expand their commitment to providing almshouses for the elderly members of the Shropshire and Powys communities. With the merging in 2009 of the Holy Cross Almshouses, with those already managed by the Shrewsbury Drapers at Fairford Place and the Hospital of St Giles, this has become a real possibility.
Planning permission has been obtained and architects plans drawn up to build a further twenty one units of a mix of one and two bedrooms providing accommodation for a further thirty two residents. This will bring the total number of persons in our warden assisted housing to just over fifty.
As well as housing, the development will also provide a facility specifically designed for the benefit of the neighbouring community, allowing a wide range of activities and services to be provided. A green area for leisure will be included and the existing bowling green and social club will continue to function. The whole site then being a valuable contributor to the local environment and people in the area.
The proximity of the site to local facilities and the town centre makes it an ideal location for more elderly residents who won’t require motorised transport to access their daily requirements. Thus, with the support of the warden and Draper volunteers, independent living can be maintained for longer than would be possible in other locations.
With the land in the drapers possession and planning granted, fund raising has commenced for the building phase. It is hoped that building will start in 2012/2013 with residents able to move in by 2014.
Details of the charities operated by the Shrewsbury Drapers Company are as follows; more information is on the Charities Commission website
Shrewsbury Drapers Holy Cross Ltd No 1132671
Shrewsbury Drapers Company General Charities No 213372
The Hospital of St Giles No 233903
