Demolition of fire-struck pub given green light

A former pub in Shrewsbury that was partially destroyed by fire is to be demolished.

Shropshire Council's planners gave the go-ahead for the Oxon Priory, which was owned by brewer Greene King but had closed months earlier, to be knocked down.

Fire crews from five different stations were called to deal with the blaze on 6 October 2025. Subsequently three boys, one aged 12 and two aged 13, were bailed after being arrested on suspicion of arson, West Mercia Police said.

Documents submitted to the authority said the demolition would happen in phases, starting with the unaffected single-storey sections, before moving on to the fire-damaged parts of the building.

Greene King confirmed that the plans had been approved and said it was considering next steps.

Plans show that the building, which is a mid-to-late-19th century vicarage, will be pulled down to slab level.

They added: "No further restoration, landscaping or redevelopment works are proposed as part of the prior notification submission."

Previously, the agents for the brewer said the fire appeared to have started within the first-floor accommodation of the property, above the ground floor bar area.

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