Historic Nottingham Governor’s House and judge retiring rooms to be brought back into use

The former Governor’s House and judge retiring rooms in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market are to be brought back into use. They form a separate part of the Grade II listed Shire Hall in High Pavement, which is home to the National Justice Museum.

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. Nottingham City Council owns Shire Hall through its Bridge Estate charity, and leases a vast portion of it to the National Justice Museum under a 125-year contract.

The Bridge Estate, for which the Labour-run authority is the sole trustee, was set up to maintain Trent Bridge and brings in money to pay for it by letting out properties across the city. It purchased the property in 2011 for just over £212,000, according to a portfolio holder’s decision document at the time, however it remained vacant for a number of years.

The Governor’s House building and judges’ retirement rooms are separated by a courtyard at the back of the property. The Bridge Estate is due to give an update on its portfolio of properties at a meeting on Monday, September 23, and published reports show terms of lease have now been agreed for the property for a prospective tenant.

“Solicitors are instructed, with the lease expected to complete following the completion of various refurbishment works later this year,” documents say. According to a council document dating back to 2019, the premises were in a poor state of condition and shared utility services with the National Justice Museum.

The problems had been deterring prospective tenants. So it could be let out to generate income for the Bridge Estate, the building has been undergoing refurbishment.

The business case document from 2019 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. 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.

“The general specification includes predominantly single-glazed sash windows (with secondary glazing added in part), ceiling mounted strip lighting and carpeted floors. There is also an external courtyard area accessed through the Governor’s House.”

The Shire Hall was originally established in the 14th century and acted as a city court and goal. The current building was constructed in 1770 and continued to be used as Nottingham Crown Court until 1991, when the current court building on Canal Street first opened.