[2] In the early 1840s, civic officials decided that the old corn exchange was inadequate and should be replaced by a new structure on an adjacent site to the east of the old building.

The central section of three bays, which was recessed, featured three round headed openings separated by Ionic order columns supporting a frieze, an entablature, a modillioned cornice and a parapet.

The building was requisitioned for use as a food control office i.e. rationing centre during the First World War and then re-opened as an events venue with a stage and gallery in 1926.

[3] The building also operated as a cinema in the 1930s,[7] and continued to host public events after the Second World War: performers included the rock band, The Who, in August 1965.

After a major programme of refurbishment works in the 1980s, the building re-opened as a branch of The Co-operative Bank and as the local office of General Accident in 1991.