The updates were shared as the Council published papers ahead of its Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee on 7 July. 

The updates form part of the council’s ongoing engagement with stakeholders and provide the latest information on progress, current activity and next steps for both schemes.
 
HMAG and Shirehall are two of Hereford’s most important heritage assets and will play an important role in supporting the city’s cultural, economic and civic future.
 
The Committee will be updated on the progress of these and other capital schemes being delivered by the council. 
 
Further information will continue to be shared as these and other projects progress.

Wording of email is as follows:

Dear stakeholder,

Subject: Update on Shirehall and Hereford Museum & Art Gallery (HMAG) Projects

I am writing to update you on the future of two of Herefordshire’s most important heritage assets: Shire Hall and Hereford Museum & Art Gallery (HMAG).

Following a comprehensive review of both projects, Herefordshire Council remains fully committed to restoring these historic buildings and securing their long-term future for residents and visitors for generations to come. However, detailed investigations have identified additional costs and structural challenges that mean the original proposals are no longer affordable in their current form. As a result, revised schemes are being developed that retain the core ambition of both projects while ensuring they can be delivered in a financially responsible and sustainable way, and providing value for money to council tax-payers and other funders.

At the Shirehall, following a detailed survey of the structure, it has become apparent that the original restoration plan, including to locate a new library in the Assembly Room, would potentially cost more than its original £8.5 million budget. Further assessments and surveys were carried out in late 2025 to fully understand the structural challenges and associated costs, and different options were considered to reduce expenditure. After having validated those investigations throughout early 2026, it is proposed, subject to further design work and approvals, to now locate the library centre in Court Room Two and surrounding areas, delivering a more cost-effective solution nearer to the original budget estimate. 

Alongside a new library layout, supported by £2.6 million in funding from the UK Government’s Stronger Towns Fund, it is proposed that Herefordshire Council will invest £8.5 million in essential structural works to stabilise and secure the early 19th century building. This revised scheme will enable us to achieve its original ambitions – to provide a modern and accessible library and learning centre – and will help preserve the long-term future of this Grade II* listed landmark, unlocking more potential phases of development down the line. Future phases of development, subject to further funding, could include the restoration of the Assembly Room to its original purpose as a space for public events, ceremonies and exhibitions.

A review of the HMAG redevelopment plans found that delivering the original design in full, including building a new upper floor and roof terraces, would cost approximately up to £14.5 million more than the project’s original budget of £20.5 million. After further detailed surveys to find alternative options and savings, the council proposes to focus on restoring and enhancing the building without the new upper floor and roof terraces. 

Funding of £20.8 million has been identified for this project, including £8.4 million from Herefordshire Council, £5 million each from the UK Government Stronger Towns Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as other external funders. Further funding will be pursued through future grant opportunities and/or donations to meet the costs to complete the works, which is expected to be in the region of £24.4 million. 

The revised proposals include the careful restoration of the Grade II* listed building, with repairs to its structure and historic fabric intended to help safeguard its long-term future, while creating a new visitor attraction for nationally significant artefacts, such as the Herefordshire Hoard. Subject to detailed design, statutory approvals and funding requirements, the scheme will deliver improvements to environmental performance, accessibility and the visitor experience while respecting the building’s historic character. 

Proposals currently being developed include refurbished gallery spaces, a new learning room and restoration of the historic Woolhope Room. The ambition is to create a more welcoming and engaging museum that enhances opportunities for people to explore Herefordshire’s art, history and culture, supports learning and community participation, and strengthens the city’s cultural offer. As the project progresses through the detailed design and delivery stages, proposals will continue to be refined, with opportunities for future enhancements considered as part of a phased approach to the museum’s long-term development. At the same time, we will continue to develop exciting partnership opportunities with national heritage and arts institutions with the intent to host major exhibitions in the future.

Further planning, design and project work is underway for both projects. At this stage we are looking at construction for both projects beginning in the Summer of 2027 while more details about the revised schemes, including updated costs and delivery programme timings, will be published as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to work with partners, funders, including the Hereford Stronger Towns Board and investors to identify opportunities for additional investment and support for the schemes. 

While these progress, we remain committed to providing the best possible day-to-day cultural and heritage offer for Herefordshire. The museum service has remained active through the Museum-on-the-Move programme, with the service visiting more than 30 locations across the county, and engaged with over 15,000 people through outreach, touring exhibitions and community activity. The Old House is a fully accredited museum in its own right, presenting four centuries of history and heritage.

A fully functioning temporary library operates from the Town Hall, Hereford providing book borrowing, reservations, click-and-collect services, public computers, free Wi-Fi and spaces for reading and study. There is also a library at Belmont, which has recently benefited from improvements and refurbishment. In addition, the History Store in the city centre hosts a wide variety of activities including community-led tours, conservation workshops, talks, family activities and other events. 

We recognise that stakeholders, funders, partners and residents will be disappointed that the original plans cannot be delivered in full or that the projects will take longer than anticipated. However, these are the right decisions given what we have discovered since the projects were first commissioned, and when set against the current economic climate. 

We take seriously our responsibilities as custodians of the Shirehall and HMAG, and remain committed to bringing these historic and culturally important buildings back into use for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.

Kind regards,

Hilary Hall,

Corporate Director, Community Wellbeing

Herefordshire Council

 

John Hobbs,

Corporate Director, Economy & Environment

Herefordshire Council