Listed city building set to be brought back to use

The Governor's House forms part of the historic High Pavement area

A listed building that has stood empty for years is set to be brought back into use, according to an official report.

The former Governor's House and judges' retiring rooms in High Pavement, in Nottingham, sit alongside the Grade II-listed Shire Hall, which contains the Galleries of Justice attraction.

The city council bought the buildings in 2011 and has spent tens of thousands of pounds on repairs and maintenance since.

Terms of a lease with a new tenant have now been agreed, subject to the completion of a refurbishment by the end of the year.

The council owns the buildings through its Bridge Estate charity, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

This is due to give an update on its portfolio of properties on 23 September, and published reports show terms of lease have now been agreed for the property for a prospective tenant.

According to a council document dating back to 2019, the premises were in a poor state of repair, which had been deterring prospective tenants.

A business case document from the same year shows £235,000 was to be spent on the refurbishment, including severing gas, electricity and water mains from Shire Hall, upgrading the lighting and repairing the building's flooring and window frames.

Long history

As part of the refurbishment, £10,000 was also to be spent on repairing a section of the roof of the Governor's House due to "continued risk posed to health and safety".

Progress on the refurbishment was unknown until recently, when it was advertised for lease by property consultant Innes England at an undisclosed price.

"The premises comprises office accommodation split across two buildings with a central covered walkway offering cellular accommodation on each level with associated [toilets] and tea point facilities," the advertisement said.

No details have been released of what the building will be used for.

The Shire Hall was originally established in the 14th Century and acted as a city court and gaol.

The current building was constructed in 1770 and continued to be used as Nottingham Crown Court until 1991, when the current court building in Canal Street first opened.