First Look At Wrexham’s New Town Centre Police Station

An artist’s impression of what a new police station in Wrexham Town Centre could look like, has been revealed. 

In July 2014 it was mooted that Wrexham’s town centre police station would move from its current site on Bodhyfryd to the Oriel Gallery Space just across the road. The move would come as a result of the Oriel Gallery eventually relocating to a new ‘Arts and Cultural Hub’ in the Peoples Market.

In an Executive Board meeting last July, Council documents noted that the site on Rhosddu Road was preferred for the development due to the: ‘vicinity of the Courts building, good visibility for the police from a public perspective, good central location for town patrols and the ideal size building for adapting into a police station.’

The first picture, below, of the new station gives a front elevation believed to be from the library car park incorporating the current brick curve to the right hand side with a new front entrance and facade:

Town Centre Inspector Paul Wycherley told Wrexham.com: “The current police station was built in the 1970s and had a 30-40 year lifespan, which it is reaching the end of. The building is no longer fit for the modern era and we don’t need anything this big any more.

“The custody suite cannot be modernised to modern requirements. The suites are now used for prisoners in Flintshire as well, which is why the new station is being built between Wrexham and Flintshire.”

Sergeant Darren Whibberley added: “Custody is no longer fit for purpose. Requirements of care of detained persons demand we upgrade our facilities, we can’t ignore our duty of care.”

The 14 storey building was built in the 1970s and is one of the most prominent buildings on the Wrexham skyline. However, since it was built it has received mixed reviews from local residents, many of whom consider it an eyesore.

Planning proposals have yet to go before Wrexham Council, however if successful the new police station would be in operation by summer 2016. The demolition of the current police tower is also scheduled for August of next year.

Wrexham’s main ‘Police HQ’ is due to be built on land on the Llay Industrial Estate – however North Wales Police have made clear in the past that they would also be keeping some form of base in the town centre.

Inspector Wycherely added: “I want to reassure people that a proper police station will be build in the town centre. The station will be very modern fit for purpose and an efficient working environment.

“The important thing is there will be a proper police station that will be in Wrexham Town Centre, which will also have a front counter facility like we currently have.”

Proposals for the Town Centre’s new Police Station are expected to go before the Planning Committee in the near future.

The Ever Growing Town Centre Site

As we have written twice before, first when writing about the future of the Memorial Hall, which is due to be at the centre of a soon to be very large empty town centre site, along with uncertain futures for Waterworld, Crown Buildings, Police Station, Courts due to move, Ebeneser Chapel and residential property and most recently the public toilets in the Waterworld Carpark.

As of yet there is no indication to the future plans for the vacant police station site, or if a developer will look to join up the above area in to one huge town centre development area.