DELAYED works on Monmouth's historic Shire Hall are likely to get the go ahead this week. A public meeting in the town has been told a final decision on the £4million plus works is to be taken this week. However, works have already started in the area of the Shire Hall and The Beacon understands the go ahead will now be given. Monmouth & District Chamber of Trade and Commerce hosted an extremely positive public meeting last Wednesday evening at The Priory to discuss the Shire Hall renovations. The meeting was also attended by the Town Mayor, Terry Christopher and the County Council Area Manager, Jenny Lewis. David Cummings, Chairman of the Chamber, confirmed their support for the renovations. He explained the concern amongst traders at the "top of town" about possible disruption during the works and that the Chamber would be working with the Town and County Council to try to minimize this. Jenny Lewis then went on to explain that, if the Heritage Lottery Funding bid was successful on 24th June, the preparatory work would start immediately. This would involve creating a compound in front of Shire Hall, out to the edge of the cobbled area. This compound is vital to the success of the renovation as all plant and machinery needs to be outside of the building to protect it from further damage. The compound will be surrounded by a 2.4 metre high hoarding and the building shroud will feature mediaeval traders. Several suggestions (including car parking, repairs to roads and progress information boards) were raised by local residents and Jenny said that the County Council would look into each of these issues. Brian Ramsey, Chamber Secretary, concluded the meeting by explaining several options currently being considered, including advertising on the compound hoardings and elsewhere in the town. The Chamber will contact traders in the near future with specific details.
