A TOWN centre street will be shut to through traffic for the next two months owing to roof repairs to a unique pub building.

The Griffin pub in Monmouth, which is currently home to Honeysuckle Wood Bicycles & Retro Homeware, has a curved frontage at the junction of St Mary’s and Whitecross streets, dating back to when horse and carriages had to swing round the narrow pinchpoint.

The Grade II-listed three-storey building opposite St Mary’s Church dates back to the 1700s and occupies a prime position in the historic “Old Town”.

Current owners Nick and Tanya Trotman are about to replace the roof, and posted a notice online last week apologising for the road closure needed to carry out the work, which was due to start yesterday (Tuesday, September 20).

It said: “We are having to close St Mary’s Street for two months to renovate the Griffin and replace the roof.

“Cars can access the shops and houses via Whitecross street. Residents on St Mary’s can access their homes right up until the road turns into a single one way point.

“It does mean that cars and lorries will not be able to squeeze past the scaffolding and we beg you not to try for the safety of our builders and pedestrians using the Malt House and Wigmores.

“Our shop will remain open and we need your support throughout this period. If you wish to pop in and chat about the work required we are happy to discuss the details with you.

“Apologies for the inconvenience and I hope to see you over the next few months.”

The Griffin ran as a pub for more than two centuries until some five years ago, although the owners still sell “finely crafted ales” as part of their offering.

Planning permission was granted last year for largely internal alterations designed to replace “substandard works carried out which have a detrimental impact upon the character of the building”.

A report presented to council planners said: “It is clear that there has been a degree of neglect over a number of years…

“It is also clear that many internal amendments have been made in recent years, before and since the building was listed in 2005, without, any formal consents from the local authority…

“Since re-occupation in January 2020, essential repairs have been necessary to prevent further ingress of water from leaks in the roof.”