Hereford Shirehall to get extra £1 million spent on it
The Council's putting in more cash to turn it into a library
Further spending of £1 million has been confirmed for a landmark central Hereford building undergoing a major change of use.
The grade II* listed Shirehall in St Peter’s Square is being transformed into the city’s new library and learning centre as part of the Stronger Hereford programme for the city.
The building “has remained largely unused” since “a significant ceiling collapse” in its main courtroom in June 2020, which led to the county’s Courts and Tribunals Service leaving it, Herefordshire Council’s spending decision explains.
A first phase of essential works, which included drawing up plans for the rest of the work to transform the building, is already under way.
Now a second phase will refurbish and upgrade windows, install LED lighting throughout, and demolish the now-vacant CCTV control room to the south of the building, which has now been relocated to Maylord Orchards.
This previously stood on a flat roof which will now be strengthened ahead of the fitting of solar panels, to be funded separately.
There will also be a “new and remodelled” kitchen, along with associated multi-use spaces and improvements to the former second courtroom – where so far, “no specific use has informed the design proposals”, the decision said.
Given that the age and condition of the early-19th century building “means a high risk of uncovering previously unknown defects”, a 15-20 per cent share of the spending is allocated for risk contingency.
Funded by borrowing, the sum comes out of £2.9 million allocated in this financial year for the Shirehall project, the rest of which covers the ongoing phase 1 works.