Enterprise House in Bishop's Castle celebrates 30 years at the heart of the town

Enterprise House in Bishop's Castle has reached a milestone that its founders never expected. The community and business hub has celebrated its 30th anniversary, and marked the occasion with a visit from His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Anna Turner.

Mrs Turner joined past and present staff, volunteers, board members and long-term supporters for a tour of the building. She described the centre as a welcoming one-stop shop for the area. "People just want someone there to help, and it is such a comfort to the local community that you're here," she said.

The centre was originally expected to last just three years. It was set up in 1996 as a regeneration project after the town's two largest employers, FarmGas and Walters of Ludlow, left Bishop's Castle. When it celebrated its 25th birthday in 2021, the organisation, then known as Enterprise South West Shropshire, said that at least 100 local businesses were using its services on a regular basis, from artists and farmers to the local garage and the brewery.

Today Enterprise House is operated by Rural Lifeline C.I.C. and offers a long list of everyday services. Visitors can get information, digital support, printing and stationery, and there is event equipment hire, workshops, offices and hot desks for people who need a place to work.

Its reach goes well beyond the front desk. The organisation manages the library on site, the town's SpArC Theatre programme and the all-weather sports pitch, and it looks after the Bishop's Castle and Beyond local directory, website and social media channels.

Manager Polly Owen said the centre sits at the heart of the community and could not have reached the milestone without the continued support and commitment of local people.

The anniversary also brought good news for the future. The organisation has secured the lease on the building for the next 25 years, and its management team plans to build on what it already offers, with the aim of fostering sustainable, inclusive communities and finding new ways to support local businesses, individuals and groups across Bishop's Castle and the surrounding area.

Enterprise House is at 22 Station Street, Bishop's Castle, SY9 5AQ, where Shropshire Council's Shropshire Local advisers also hold regular drop-in sessions. Pop in to find out what is on offer.