PART of a former furniture shop that has been empty for nearly a decade is to be brought back into use as an office.

The former Edwards of Monmouth furniture shop closed in 2017 due to a retirement with the business having traded for some 200 years.

It had occupied the grade II-listed former Angel Hotel building in St Mary’s Street, Monmouth since 1985 while the building is thought to have been extensively remodelled in the early 19th century.

A heritage impact report, prepared in 2022 before refurbishment of the building, said the site is believed to have been occupied as a shop as early as 1240 and by 1613had become the brewhouse for St. Mary’s Church.

Monmouthshire County Council planners have approved a change of use application from retail to A2 use as a solicitor’s office.

Planning officer Helen Etherington said in her report which approved the new use, and the addition of two new windows and new sign on the wall: “The application site has been vacant for many years, prior to this it formed part of a furniture store, this application retains the whole property as A2 use as a solicitors so contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.”

No changes are proposed to the traditional shop front on St Marys Street meaning its character is not impacted when viewed from the public highway with the two new sash windows to be added at the back and side.

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Ms Etherington’s report stated use of the building as a solicitors rather than a shop wouldn’t increase noise and opening hours would be similar and while there is no dedicated parking space there is public parking available on both the nearby roads and in the Glendower Street car park to the rear of the premises.