MONMOUTH Town Council’s offices are relocating to the library due to the closure of the Shire Hall for a £2.8m upgrade.

The offices will relocate and reopen from January 5, with the Grade I-listed Shire Hall, which contains the Chartist trial courtroom, closing to the public from December 20 and works expected to take until early 2027.

Overlooking Agincourt Square, and including the historic Chartist trial courtroom, the building celebrated its 300th anniversary last year.

The investment, which includes £1.5m from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, will see the Shire Hall revitalised as “an inspiring community museum and dynamic learning hub”.

It will house collections, including the Nelson bequest, from Monmouth Museum, which was located in the Market Hall, but closed in 2020.