Your Shrewsbury Week: Restaurant Closure, Valentine's Ideas & 2026 Events

Hello Shrewsbury. We’re back and hope you're ready for another great week ahead.

This week’s scoop includes:

🍽️ Local Food & Restaurant News: An update on a much-loved Shrewsbury restaurant closing its doors.
💘 Valentine’s Day Inspiration: Ideas and events to help you plan something special this February.
🚌🎨 Getting Around & Getting Inspired: Updates on local trails, gallery exhibitions, and the latest night bus news.
🌊 Viral Shrewsbury Moment: The incredible stone skim at English Bridge that’s taken the internet by storm.

Let’s get stuck into the events happening this week.

- Will

A quick note from me:

Happy New Year, Shrewsbury 🎉

It's been a little while since the last newsletter dropped just before Christmas. I'd planned to be back in your inboxes a bit sooner, but I had to take a slightly longer break thanks to an unwelcome bit of illness, but I'm pleased to say I've recovered now.

I hope you all managed alright during the snowy spell a couple of weeks back. It certainly made for some beautiful scenes around town, even if the commute was a bit trickier than usual.

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Shrewsbury Scoop. I've got big plans including more event coverage, website improvements to help you find what you need around town, and plenty more content celebrating our brilliant independent businesses.

It's all about supporting local and helping everyone make the most of what Shrewsbury has to offer.

I'm currently putting together a guide to all the major festivals and events happening locally this year so you can plan ahead. I’ll share it in the next newsletter, but if you'd like it sent separately so you don't miss it, just reply to this email and let me know and i’ll send it over (just a one-off).

Disclaimer: Please note that events listed in this newsletter are subject to change. While we make every effort to provide accurate details, we cannot be held liable for any alterations to dates, times, locations, pricing, or content after the email is sent. We recommend checking directly with the event venue for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, we are not responsible for any external links included in this newsletter. Always verify event details with the official event organiser.

📅 Date: Sunday, 25th January 2026
⏰ Time: From 12:30 PM
📍 Venue: CSONS, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

CSONS brings back its popular Sunday roast with a South American influence. Expect generous sharing starters, a choice of thoughtfully prepared mains including meat, fish and vegetarian options, seasonal sides for the table, and a selection of indulgent desserts.

📅 Date: Friday, 30th January 2026
⏰ Time: From 12:00 PM
📍 Venue: RAD Beer, Shrewsbury
🔗 More details: Here (Free)

RAD Beer hosts a special tap takeover celebrating Polly’s eighth birthday. The lineup features four collaboration beers brewed with well known names from the UK craft scene, alongside food from NOBA Kitchen later in the day.

🍷 Wine Tasting | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Wednesday, 21st January 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 Glou Glou, Shrewsbury

[New] 🍕 Pizza Da Strada – Authentic Italian Pizzas | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Friday, 23rd January 2026, 5:00 PM
📍 RAD Beer, Shrewsbury

🧀🍷 Cheese & Wine Pairing | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 23rd January 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 St Vincent, Shrewsbury

🥃 Whisky Tasting – Regional Ramble | 📖 Booking
📅 Friday, 23rd January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Prince Rupert Hotel, Shrewsbury

[New] 🌮 Noba Kitchen Street Food Pop-Up | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Friday, 30th January 2026, 5:00 PM
📍 RAD Beer, Shrewsbury

[New] 🍷 Wine Tasting Experience | 📖 Booking
📅 Friday, 30th January 2026
📍 Hencote Estate, Shrewsbury

🥂 Hencote Bottomless Brunch | 📖 Booking
📅 Saturday, 31st January 2026, 3:30 PM
📍 Hencote Estate, Shrewsbury

🍷 A Taste of Tanners: An Evening with Nicolas Brunier | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Wednesday, 4th February 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 Taste of Tanners, Shrewsbury

[New] 🍽️ Mystery Menu Evening | 📖 Booking
📅 Thursday, 5th February 2026, 6:00 PM
📍 CSONS, Shrewsbury

🍷 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a Masterclass with Nicolas Brunier | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Thursday, 5th February 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 Tanners Wine, Shrewsbury

[New] 🥃 Whisky Tasting – Speyside Focus | 📖 Booking
📅 Friday, 6th February 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 The Prince Rupert Hotel, Shrewsbury

[New] 🍷 Wine With Lunch – French Themed | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 7th February 2026, 12:30 PM
📍 St Vincent, Shrewsbury

[New] 🍷 Explore the Wines of France | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Tuesday, 10th February 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 St Vincent, Shrewsbury

[New] 💗🍸 Pink Gin Extravaganza | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 21st February 2026, 2:30 PM
📍 Shrewsbury Market Hall

Before the Welsh Bridge took centre stage, another crossing served Shrewsbury for over 600 years - complete with public toilets. Discover the fascinating history of St George's Bridge and what remains of it today in this video from Cooper Green Pooks. Watch the video here or below:

In collaboration with Cooper Green Pooks.

A vibrant new exhibition exploring the art of collage has opened at Gateway Gallery this month. Collage Now features works spanning cut paper, mixed media, assemblage and layered imagery, all curated by local collage artist and gallery patron Caris Jackson.

The show forms part of the wider Colour Now programme and brings together artists whose creative approaches demonstrate the versatility and expressive power of collage. The exhibition runs until 12 March 2026, offering plenty of time to visit and explore this inventive celebration of contemporary art.

Popular Shrewsbury restaurant Bird and Beer has announced it will be closing its doors after four years of trading. Owners Rach and Hoops shared the difficult news via social media, thanking customers for their loyalty and support since opening.

The couple, who also run Tap and Can, cited the challenging climate for independent hospitality venues as a key factor in their decision. They encouraged the community to continue supporting local restaurants and bars. Tap and Can remains open and the pair will continue focusing their efforts there, returning to where their journey began.

A stone skimmer has taken the internet by storm with an extraordinary display of skill at Shrewsbury's English Bridge, racking up over 700,000 views and 20,000 likes online and counting. Watch the video here or below:

Shrewsbury's Night Bus service will continue running until the end of March following a successful trial period. The scheme, which originally launched in November and December last year, has been extended thanks to funding from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion's Community Fund.

Running Wednesday to Saturday until midnight, the service connects the town centre with Gains Park, Bicton Heath, Harlescott and Bayston Hill. Fares start from just £2 for adults and £1 for children, with concessionary passes accepted. The initiative aims to make late night travel safer and more affordable for those enjoying Shrewsbury's evening economy.

Families can embark on a magical woodland adventure from 27 January when the Room on the Broom trail arrives at Haughmond Hill, thanks to Forestry England. The outdoor experience invites children to help Witch find her missing hat, bow and wand while exploring the forest.

Along the route, visitors will encounter themed activity stops inspired by the much loved story, combined with interesting facts about the natural environment. Participants can collect special ingredients to complete a spell, making for an enchanting day out that combines storytelling with nature.

📅 Date: Sunday, 25th January 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Hive, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

Open Door Cinema Club screens the classic 1980 musical comedy The Blues Brothers. The film follows Jake and Elwood on a chaotic mission filled with live music performances, big car chases and familiar faces from soul and blues history.

📅 Date: Thursday, 5th February 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Museum
🎟 Tickets: Here

Dr Natasha Harlow explores the transition from the Iron Age to the Roman period, focusing on archaeological evidence from Shropshire and the surrounding area.

The talk looks at how Roman occupation affected daily life, culture and identity for local communities.

📅 Date: Saturday, 14th February 2026
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Garden Room, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

This hands-on workshop guides participants through creating their own glass terrarium using provided plants and materials. Suitable for all experience levels, the session takes place in The Garden Room’s studio space above the shop.

🎨 Create Space Brand Development Workshop | 📖 Booking
📅 Tuesday, 20th January 2026, 10:30 AM
📍 Swan Hill Studios, Shrewsbury

[New] 🗣️ Shrewsbury Dialogues: Rowing the Atlantic… | 🎟 Tickets (Free)
📅 Friday, 23rd January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Barnes Theatre, Shrewsbury

🎬 Shrewsbury Film Society: The Red Shoes | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 23rd January 2026, 8:00 PM
📍 The Hive, Shrewsbury

💃 I Can Flamenco: Beginner Dance Workshop | 📖 Booking
📅 Saturday, 24th January 2026, 11:00 AM
📍 St Giles Church Hall

🎻 Burns Night Ceilidh | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 24th January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Bomere Heath Village Hall

💍 Hencote Wedding Open Day | 📖 Booking (Free)
📅 Sunday, 25th January 2026, 11:00 AM
📍 Hencote Estate, Shrewsbury

[New] 🏥 Hospice Clinical Jobs Day | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Tuesday, 27th January 2026, 8:00 AM
📍 Bicton, Shrewsbury

[New] 🗣️ Shrewsbury Dialogues: Salopian Natural History Presentation | 🎟 Tickets (Free)
📅 Wednesday, 28th January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Barnes Theatre, Shrewsbury

🎬 Shrewsbury Film Society: Julieta | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Wednesday, 28th January 2026, 8:00 PM
📍 The Hive, Shrewsbury

[New] 🛍️ Shrewsbury Farmers Market | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Friday, 6th February 2026, 9:00 AM
📍 The Square, Shrewsbury

[New] 📖 British Folklore with Alix Chidley-Uttley & Amelia Foggin | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 6th February 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 A Taste of Tanners, Shrewsbury

[New] 🎬 Shrewsbury Film Society: Ceddo | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 6th February 2026, 8:00 PM
📍 The Hive, Shrewsbury

[New] 🔧 Bayston Hill Repair Café | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Saturday, 7th February 2026, 10:00 AM
📍 Christ Church, Glebe Road, Shrewsbury

[New] 👗 The Preloved Market | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Sunday, 8th February 2026, 2:00 PM
📍 Sundorne Games Hall, Shrewsbury

[New] 🏈 Super Bowl LX | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Sunday, 8th February 2026, 10:00 PM
📍 Cromwell's, Shrewsbury

[New] 🎭 Sandro Ford – Work in Progress | 🔗 Details (Free)
📅 Wednesday, 11th February 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 OPO, Milk Street, Shrewsbury

🎹 Nosferatu with Live Organ | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 14th February 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury

🔔 The Soundbath Sanctuary | 📖 Booking
📅 Wednesday, 28th January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Bayston Hill Methodist Church

📅 Date: Thursday, 5th February 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

Ivor Novello Award winner Scott Matthews returns to Shrewsbury with a live performance drawing on his extensive back catalogue.

Known for his distinctive songwriting and acoustic style, the set reflects material from across his career, including his more stripped-back recent work.

📅 Date: Saturday, 7th February 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Hive, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

Saxophonist and flautist Alicia Gardener-Trejo brings her quartet to The Hive as part of a tour supporting her debut album Home/Lands. The music blends jazz and folk influences, with space for improvisation and a focus on texture and melody.

[New] 🕺 80s Day Disco | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 31st January 2025, 3:00 PM
📍 Labyrinth, Shrewsbury

🎸 Encore Gig Night | 🔗 Details
📅 Monday, 19th January 2026, 9:00 PM
📍 The Coracle Inn, Shrewsbury

🎹 Celebrity International Piano Recital – Polina Osetinskaya | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 30th January 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury

🤠 Country Music Party with Tom Byrne | 🔗 Details
📅 Friday, 30th January 2026, 8:00 PM
📍 Steam Wagon Inn, Shrewsbury

🎤 Tony Christie – The Great Farewell | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 31st January 2026, 6:30 PM
📍 Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury

[New] 💿 80s and 90s Night | 📖 Booking
📅 Saturday, 31st January 2026, 7:00 PM
📍 Ellesmere Road, Albrighton, Shrewsbury

🎶 SY Gigs: Jonny Nash (ft Tomo Katsurada) + More | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Sunday, 1st February 2026, 2:30 PM
📍 The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library

[New] 🎼 Shrewsbury School Chamber Choir | 🔗 Details
📅 Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, 1:00 PM
📍 St Alkmund's, Shrewsbury

[New] 🎻 Kirsten Jensen & John Thwaites | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Thursday, 5th February 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 The Gateway, Shrewsbury

[New] 🕯️ The Music of Prince – The Candlelight Concert | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Friday, 6th February 2026, 7:30 PM
📍 Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury

[New] 🎶 Shrewsbury Choral Society | 🔗 Details
📅 Saturday, 7th February 2026, 10:00 AM
📍 St Alkmund's, Shrewsbury

[New] 🕯️ The Beatles by Candlelight | 🎟 Tickets
📅 Saturday, 7th February 2026, 6:15 PM
📍 Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury

🎸 Tom Byrne @ The Crown & Spectre | ⏰ 2:00 PM | 🔗 Details

🎸 ZZ Topp'd @ The Buttermarket | ⏰ 6:30 PM | 🎟️ Tickets
🎸 Nibbs & Chrisbee @ The Steam Wagon Inn | ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🔗 Details
🎸 The Midnight Jukes @ The Bull | ⏰ 9:00 PM | 🔗 Details

🎸 Disco Bliss @ The Buttermarket | ⏰ 2:00 PM | 🎟️ Tickets
🎸 Luke Brougham @ Coolock Irish Bar | ⏰ 8:30 PM | 🔗 Details
🎸 Tom Byrne @ Harlescott Social Club | ⏰ 8:45 PM | 🔗 Details

🎸 Country Fest @ The Buttermarket | ⏰ 4:00 PM | 🎟️ Tickets

📅 Date: Saturday, 24th January 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Trinity Centre, Meole Brace
🎟 Tickets: Here

A full-day acrylic painting workshop focused on creating a portrait of your own pet. Participants work on a birch panel and are guided through the process, with refreshments provided.

📅 Date: Saturday, 31st January 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Library
🎟 Tickets: Here

This relaxed morning workshop introduces glass painting techniques using gold outliner and vibrant paints to create a stained-glass style floral design. All materials are provided, and participants will leave with a framed finished piece.

📅 Date: Sunday, 15th February 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: Floro Lounge, Shrewsbury
🎟 Tickets: Here

A creative workshop focused on making button heart wreaths or wall art, led by Anna at Floro Lounge. Suitable for beginners, the session provides all materials and guidance, offering a relaxed way to spend a Sunday afternoon crafting.

If you have something you'd like to share or be featured, whether it’s a new business, event or special story, we’d love to hear from you.

Reply to this email or let us know on Facebook or Instagram what sections you'd like to see, or if you have content to share for these exciting new additions.

Thank you for reading Shrewsbury Scoop this week and supporting local business.

Be sure to share the newsletter with anyone else who would enjoy it.

See you next week,

Will, Shrewsbury Scoop.

Our mailing address below is in New York, but this is because our email provider is based there and we have to display an address. We’ll update this with a Shrewsbury address as soon as we can! Thanks.