Basingstoke Magistrates' Court reopens (From This is Hampshire)
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Building had been closed for more than a year for revamp
3:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Chris Gregory
Basingstoke magistrates court reopens
MAGISTRATES have returned to Basingstoke after a long-awaited revamp of the court building.
The refurbished Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, in London Road, reopened on October 1 after a closure of more than a year.
The court complex has been expanded so it can accommodate Basingstoke County Court. The extension includes two new courtrooms with lift access to the first floor.
The main entrance has been moved from the south side of the building to the west, with pedestrian access from New Road. A separate entrance for witnesses has also been created.
The Royal Coat of Arms, in stainless steel, has been placed above a set of automatic doors at the new entrance.
Other features include an enlarged set of cells.
Magistrates moved to Winchester Crown Court in September last year while the refurbishment took place. Other Basingstoke cases were heard at courts in Aldershot and Andover.
Basingstoke County Court’s lease at Grosvenor House, Basing View, ended in June last year, and it moved to a temporary building on the London Road site while the work was completed.