Flintshire Council relocates from Shire Hall after 57 years. The move marks the end of an era for the historic building.
Cllr Dave Hughes said Shire Hall is old. It served Mold for 57 years, he noted. Shire Hall was no longer viable. Some buildings were already vacated. The main hall’s removal marks the end.
Shire Hall was planned in 1939. World War II delayed its build. Post-war, huts housed the council. These came from Kinmel camp. The bus station is now there.
Alderman Edwards wanted a worthy building in 1954. The council bought land in 1948. It cost £14,000 from Llwynegrin Hall Estate. This is where Shire Hall stands today. Construction got approved in 1962. The budget rose to £904,123.
That includes furnishings, about £16.5m today. Princess Margaret opened it May 29, 1968. It housed Flintshire council. Then, it was Clwyd’s HQ. Later, it reverted to Flintshire. That happened after local changes in the 90s.
Cllr Chris Bithell called it “the end of an era.” He joined local politics in 1970. His father worked at Shire Hall, too. Cllr Bithell remembered good and bad times. He recalled giving freedom to the Royal Welch Fusiliers. They marched outside; it was quite a sight.
Some people love Shire Hall, others hate it. One councillor wanted it listed. Its windows were distinctive, he said. The building shared features with the old US Embassy. It was notable for its time, he added.
They plan to demolish the building soon. Developers will transform the site. The council has not yet made a decision.
A relief map of Flintshire is there. It dates back to 1748. It may be lost during demolition sadly. The map shows old county boundaries. It is cemented in the wall. It has crests of old districts. Its removal is uncertain.
Shire Hall is too expensive. It costs £1.2 million yearly. Repairs are estimated at £26 million over 25 years. Moving to Ty Dewi Sant cost £805,000. The council needs revenue. They want development to help improve their financial state.
Cllr Richard Jones is deputy leader. He helps the council save money. He also maximizes asset value strategically. Cllr Jones said Shire Hall was like Legoland. He noted that even Lego must be dismantled, eventually.
Developers want the site badly. The council owns the land now. They want a development partner. They want to control what goes there. They seek social value, not just money. They don’t want just houses there. They want something Flintshire can be proud of. The site is valuable but complex. What goes there needs to fit. It must consider courts, hall, and Theatr Clwyd. It cannot be too urban either.