The Herts Advertiser has relocated to new offices in the city centre while essential building work is underway on our previous premises.

St Albans’ only locally based newspaper will be operating from 7 French Row, above Simmons the baker, for at least the next four months.

The Herts Ad editorial team is due to start work in the new offices on Friday after furniture is moved over tomorrow (Thursday).

Editor Matt Adams said: “As far as we’re concerned, it’s business as usual for the Herts Advertiser, despite the change in offices.

“As the only newspaper with an office in St Albans city centre, we are privileged to be at the very heart of the community we serve, and this will continue during our tenure in French Row, however long that ends up being.”

The newspaper’s former offices, in Grade II listed Town Hall Chambers, at 35 Market Place, needs urgent maintenance to secure the frontage, which started to move following a spell of high winds at the end of 2013.

The council says it is making every effort to minimise disruption to the businesses that use the building. The three ground floor retail properties – Sweaty Betty, Little Marrakech restaurant and The Fone Shop – will be able to continue trading throughout the work.

St Albans School of Languages, which occupies the rooms to the rear of the first floor, will remain operating from the building while the work is taking place.

But because the first floor rooms to the front of Town Hall Chambers will need to be vacated while the work is being carried out the council will be providing the Herts Advertiser with alternative accommodation in French Row.

The project, which is being completely funded by the council, is expected to last approximately four months, but this timescale could be affected if the contractor discovers the need for further work once they start on site.

Cllr Brian Ellis, portfolio holder for housing and property management at St Albans council, said: “When the defect was first identified, the council erected scaffolding to help secure the brickwork while surveys were carried out and necessary work identified. We then had to wait until listed building consent was granted before going ahead with the work.

“I am pleased to say that work will begin shortly to restore the front of this beautiful and historic building. I want to thank the tenants, neighbouring businesses and market traders for their patience to date and during the future work.”

Free copies of the Herts Advertiser will now be available from the French Row premises for the duration of the tenure. Advertisements for family announcements can be placed with staff at the new offices