Shire Hall, Chelmsford

The Shire Hall is a municipal facility in the High Street in Chelmsford, Essex. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Shire Hall, Chelmsford
LocationChelmsford, Essex
Coordinates51.7347°N 0.4708°E / 51.7347; 0.4708
Built1791
ArchitectJohn Johnson
Architectural style(s)Classical style
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated20 May 1949
Reference no.1141328
Location of Shire Hall, Chelmsford in Essex

History

The building, which was designed by John Johnson in the classical style with a Portland stone façade, opened in July 1791.[1] It was originally used as a facility for dispensing justice. In 1856, after a crowd entered the building to attend a trial of five men charged with murder while poaching, the staircase collapsed killing one youth and seriously injuring four others.[2] Following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, it also became the official meeting place of Essex County Council.[3] However, in order to facilitate travel arrangements, council meetings were actually held in London in the early 20th century,[4] and then at the new County Hall from the mid-20th century.[5]

The Shire Hall's function as a judicial facility reduced with the opening of the new Crown Court in New Street in the 1980s and ceased with the opening of a new Magistrates' Court in New Street in April 2012.[6]

References
  1. Historic England. "Shire Hall, Chelmsford (1141328)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  2. Trail at the Shire Hall, The Essex Standard, 27 February 1856.
  3. "Local Government Act 1888". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  4. "Conference on Labour History in Essex - Spring 2005" (PDF). Labour Heritage. p. 2. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  5. "Swastika building question put to Essex County Council". BBC. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. "Shire Hall shuts as it loses its court role | This is Essex". Thisistotalessex.co.uk. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
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