High street in Bishops Castle town centre

Empty shops and underused buildings across Bishop’s Castle will be transformed this September as part of a project that aims to bring fresh energy to the town centre, attract visitors and create new opportunities for

businesses, artists and makers.

The four-day Bishop’s Castle Is Open event will run from 3-6 September 2026. Timed to coincide with the town’s popular annual Michaelmas Fair, it will provide an added attraction for visitors by filling vacant spaces with pop-up shops, exhibitions, workshops and creative activities.

The idea grew initially from conversations between Bex Hunter of The Castle Hotel and Deb Alma of the Poetry Pharmacy. Both were concerned about the increasing number of empty properties in the town and wanted to explore new ways to make them useful again.

The project took shape after the two business owners, inspired by the idea of ‘meanwhile spaces’, spoke with the Shropshire Growth Hub which has successfully run its own pop-up shops in Shrewsbury as part of the Shropshire Artisan Showcase.

Bex Hunter said:

“It’s exciting to see an idea that started as a conversation become real. The response has been brilliant, with artists, makers and property owners all getting behind it – and we’re even welcoming Lush to Bishop’s Castle for a pop-up. For a small rural town, that’s pretty exciting.

“We’re still learning as we go, but the pilot is already showing how empty buildings can support creative enterprise, strengthen the high street and give visitors more to explore and enjoy.”

Anna Sadler, Shropshire Growth Hub Officer, said:

“Through initiatives like the Artisan Showcase, we’ve seen how temporary retail spaces can help businesses test concepts, reach new customers and build confidence. We are very pleased and happy to work with local businesses on projects like this.”

Cllr Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet Member for Transformation and Economic Growth, said:

“Projects like Bishop’s Castle Is Open show how creativity, collaboration and local ambition can help tackle some of the challenges facing our high streets Something we are pleased to encourage and support. It’s a great example of how our market towns can remain vibrant, resilient and offer something that is unique.”

Cllr Ruth Houghton, local member for Bishop’s Castle, added:

“Bishop’s Castle Is Open shows what can be achieved when a community works together. Bringing empty spaces back into use and supporting local businesses, attracts visitors and adds new energy to our town centre. A big thankyou to Bex and Deb and the Shropshire Growth Hub for taking this idea forward”

The organisers hope the pilot will show how bringing empty spaces back into use can help Bishop’s Castle and give other Shropshire towns ideas to build on.