[5] It was designed by Thomas Nicholson of Hereford in the Italianate style, built in red brick with stone finishings and the market hall was officially opened to the public on 1 November 1865.

There were three bays finished in a similar style in Hereford Street and, at roof level, there was a wide cornice supported by brackets.

[9] Following significant population growth, largely associated with the status of Presteigne as a market town, the area became an urban district in 1894.

[12] The building subsequently accommodated a furniture shop and then, after a period of disuse, Mid Border Arts, which had been established in the Shire Hall in 1988, moved into the assembly rooms in 1992.

[8] An extensive programme of refurbishment works costing £95,000, carried out with financial support from the Arts Council of Wales, was completed in 1995.