Shrewsbury is in the county of Shropshire and also an important market town. In addition, it is home to the headquarters of the borough council, the county council and the local health authority, all of which provide much employment. It is dominated by 15th Century black and white Tudor housing and narrow cobbled streets. In 1083 an Abbey church was founded by the Normans here, which is still a place of worship today. It is also famous for its annual flower show; and in the summer, the town’s streets are bedecked with flowers - for 28 years, the late Percy Thrower of Blue Peter fame was the Parks Superintendent.
Atcham is a large village south east of Shrewsbury and is included in the constituency’s name to recognise that its borders mirror that of the local authority of the same name.
There are many jobs in tourism here, as well as in the service sector. Agriculture used to be more important than it is now, although there is still a large cattle market in Shrewsbury.