AN ASSEMBLY member has taken a tour of the historic courthouse and former bank in Ruthin town centre which is undergoing redevelopment work.

Gavin Harris, deputy mayor of Ruthin, recently gave Ruthin-based AM Llyr Gruffydd a tour of the fifteenth century Old Courthouse, which stands on St Peter's Square, to discuss the town council's plans to turn it into a community and tourist hub.

Ruthin Town Council purchased the building in January after it was empty since NatWest closed its branch there in 2017.

As the building is listed, all work will be in keeping with its original features.

Denbighshire Free Press:

The Old Courthouse.

Denbighshire Free Press:

Inside the Old Courthouse.

Mr Gruffydd said: “I’m very grateful to Gavin for the guided tour – although it’s a compact building it also has two separate upstairs areas and a cellar with a safe and security bars. It needs some work of course but many of the doors and windows are in good condition and it will be wonderful to open the building up to the general public.

"The town council plans to make it a multi-use hub for the town and it will doubtless be the first stop for many visitors to the town. From there, they can be signposted to various attractions and places to eat and drink.

"It’s also good to hear that there will be a flexible space for meetings, private hire and other events.”

Denbighshire Free Press:

Cllr Harris and Mr Gruffydd discuss Ruthin Town Council's plans for the building.

The redevelopment of the bank is part of the town council’s wider ambition to improve the town square to become destination where visitors and the community will want to spend more time.

Mr Gruffydd added: “I wish the town council well in its ambitious plans to improve the town square. The Old Courthouse is such a prominent building that it is vital it is re-opened for the greater good of the town.”