Work is due to start on a wide ranging programme of building repair works at Lancaster Town Hall, part of a wider refurbishment of council property which is already seeing work done on the Assembly Rooms in King Street.

Lasting approximately six months, the works will involve extensive scaffolding to the building with a hoist for materials and a builders’ compound on the private roadway.

As a result, access to the Customer Service Centre, which will remain open throughout, will be via the George Street entrance (opposite the magistrates’ court).

Signs will direct customers to the entrance via Robert Street or Thurnham Street.

The memorial gardens will also remain open and disabled parking can be found on George Street (instead of directly outside the Customer Service Centre).

Coun Stuart Langhorn, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “The town hall was 100 years old in 2009 and like any building of its age needs to be carefully maintained.

“These building works are vital to ensuring that the listed building continues to serve the citizens of the Lancaster district for another 100 years.

“There will be some small disruption to the usual access route to the Customer Service Centre, but it will remain open as usual throughout the period of the works.”