An additional million pounds in funding has been confirmed for the transformation of a landmark former courthouse building, which is undergoing a major change of use

The Grade II*-listed, 208-year-old Hereford 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.

The building “has remained largely unused” since a “significant ceiling collapse” in its main courtroom in June 2020, which prompted the county’s Courts and Tribunals Service to vacate, according to Herefordshire Council’s spending decision."

Its main courtroom hosted many high-profile trials, including the 1922 trial of Major Herbert Armstrong, who was convicted of poisoning his wife to death at their Cusop home near Hay-on-Wye and was subsequently sentenced to death and hanged.

The first phase of essential works, which included planning the transformation of the building, is already underway. The second phase will refurbish and upgrade windows, install LED lighting throughout, and demolish the now-vacant CCTV control room to the south, following its relocation 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.