Card shop moves as part of Oakengates transformation
A popular greetings card shop has successfully relocated to a modernised unit in Oakengates, marking another step forward in the town’s major transformation project. Celebrations, which has served the local community for 40 years, has moved into 10-12 Limes Walk.
The move from its former unit comes ahead of planned demolition works that will clear the site for a brand new theatre.
Telford & Wrekin Council assisted business owners Verendra Hayre and Jaspinder Singh with the move into the refurbished space.
The new shop, which offers cards, gifts, and helium balloons, now features a fully modernised interior and a fresh, enhanced shop frontage.
This relocation is a key part of the Oakengates Theatre Quarter project. The scheme is converting outdated 1960s retail spaces on Market Street and Limes Walk into contemporary commercial units with flats above.
The project’s Phase 1a was finished in October 2024, with Phase 1b now close to completion. This initiative is part of the Council’s wider Investing in Telford and Wrekin programme.
The move across Limes Walk allows Celebrations to enjoy a modern retail space while making room for the theatre’s redevelopment.
Demolition of the former Oakengates nursery has already been completed. Internal demolition work has also begun inside the old theatre building.
The Telford Theatre project will deliver a larger main auditorium and a separate studio theatre for community groups and smaller acts. New facilities will include a community art room, a transformed foyer, a dining area, a new bar, and upgraded backstage amenities.
It is expected that the transformation will boost the local economy by creating new jobs and increasing volunteering opportunities.
Verendra Hayre, Celebrations business owner, said: “We’re really happy with the new unit and our customers are as well which is important.
“This is a brand new shop and the way we’ve organised it means we can still offer the same great range of items as in our previous location.
“It’s early days but so far the feedback has been very positive and as well as retaining our loyal customer base we’re hoping to attract many more customers from far and wide in our new location.”
Councillor Ollie Vickers, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy and Transport, said: “These are exciting times for Oakengates as we continue to regenerate the town by modernising retail spaces and creating new places for people to live and work through the Theatre Quarter programme.
“It’s all part of our commitment to creating a better Oakengates and better Borough and drive more footfall to our towns.
“Celebrations is just one of the businesses we’ve supported during this project, helping them move into a newly modernised unit which will hopefully help the business to go from strength-to-strength.”
More information on the Telford Theatre project can be found on the Telford & Wrekin Council website.
Pic: Celebrations owner Verendra Hayre outside the new unit at 10-12 Limes Walk
