[2] In the first half of the 19th century, petty session hearings were held in a detached building in the grounds of the George Inn in Market Street.

[3][4] After finding this arrangement unsatisfactory, a group of local business leaders decided to form a company to commission a purpose-built complex for holding public meetings, court hearings and markets.

[1][6][7] The design of the town hall, which was at the front of the complex, involved a symmetrical main frontage with three bays facing onto Market Street.

The ground floor, which was rusticated, featured an elliptical opening with a keystone, which provided access to the market hall and was flanked by two sash windows.

[2] Following a significant increase in population, largely associated with the leather working industry, the area became an urban district with the town hall as its headquarters in 1894.