Parade Shops

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 2 May 2025

The Grade II listed https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1254655?section=official-list-entry Parade Shopping Centre was built in 1826-30 as Salop Infirmary. The Infirmary had been established in 1745. In the mid 1970s the hospital faced closure on the completion of a new hospital. Many local people considered it a grimy white elephant worthy of demolition. The building was offered to the local authorities, national and government bodies. All declined and the building was put on the open market. By 1979 the hospital had been empty and deteriorating for two years. The building was eventually purchased by RMJ Freeman, a local businessman who had a reputation for conservation work on local historic buildings. The top floors would become residential with the lower two floors used for specialist shopping. The corridor plan of the building allowed a simple division of the ward spaces into 31 apartments. Key ingredients were the removal of the whole of the top floor operating suites, rear concrete balconies and 4 storey sluice block. The adjoining sheds and boiler rooms were demolished and the stonework repaired and replaced, according to the original design. The Parade was officially opened on 13th June 1983 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. For a more detailed history see https://www.paradeshops.co.uk/history/

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