Shire Hall lies at the heart of Chelmsford, where the retail, business, religious and civic functions of the City meet.

The area surrounding Shire Hall is a focus for some of the City’s most exciting developments over the coming years.

• The expansion of Anglia Ruskin University less than half a mile to the north of Shire Hall, has gathered pace in recent years. This is set to continue with significant plans for accommodating further students together with an ever-expanding range of educational opportunities. The regeneration of former ARU facilities on Victoria Road South and the former Marconi works site on New Street, are also set to provide significant new commercial and residential facilities in the north of the city centre.
• The revitalisation of the High Chelmer Centre and John Lewis led regeneration to the west of the High Street will draw the centre of Chelmsford’s retail offering to the steps of Shire Hall.
• The recent additional attraction of Jamie Oliver’s Trattoria restaurant should also serve to underpin the northern section of the High Street immediately south of Shire Hall.
• There is recognition from discussions between Essex County Council and Chelmsford Diocese that significant potential exists to enhance the interaction between two of Chelmsford’s key buildings. The prospect of opening up the rear of Shire Hall and developing the land between it and the neighbouring Cathedral is a potentially very exciting opportunity that both landowners could explore further with interested parties.
• More widely, Chelmsford is recognised regionally as a significant centre for development and change with very considerable new housing and business growth identified for the City Centre, North East and North West Chelmsford. The recent granting of City status confirms Chelmsford’s growth aspirations.