On Thursday 11th February, Shailesh Vara MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice announced Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court will be closed, only “once suitable alternative local provisions had been established.”
Speaking about today’s announcement, Mrs Jo Churchill MP said: “Today’s announcement by the Ministry of Justice carries good and bad news for Bury St Edmunds. As we suspected, our Grade II listed Magistrates Court located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, will be closed. It is regrettable that we will lose this wonderful building for justice purposes, which has been the staple for local justice in our town. However, delivering only 39% of its full capacity and costing the taxpayer almost £100,000 a year to maintain, at the end of the day I believe it is right decision for Old Shire Hall to close and be put to better use.
However, in a bid to ensure Bury St Edmunds can access all essential local justice, I have been assured by the Minister that our Magistrates Court will close only “once suitable alternative local provision has been established”. I am delighted by this announcements and feel that the desperate needs of our rural town have been listened and responded to appropriately. In the interim, it will be possible to use Bury St Edmunds County and Family Court for some family hearings and to provide a video link facility.
Nevertheless, I am mindful of the concerns of residents for the future of our local justice; ensuring residents do not have long journey times reliant on local transport.Therefore going forward, I will be working closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure this settlement does delivers the provisions our town needs for improved, effective and ultimately local justice and continue to make my case for the relocation of services to the Public Service Village in Bury St Edmunds."