[1] The building, which was designed by John Philpott Jones in the Gothic Revival style for the Bishop Auckland Town Hall and Market Company, was financed by private issue of shares and officially opened on 28 October 1862.

[2] The building held a prominent position in the town and dominated the area with its strong mansard pavilions, spires and associated ironwork.

[3] The mansard pavilions were an unusual feature imported from France which were copied a few years later by Bellamy and Hardy in their design for Retford Town Hall.

[4] The building was acquired by the local board of health in 1888 and it became the headquarters of Bishop Auckland Urban District council in 1894.

[1][2] Sir Edward Elgar visited the building on 2 December 1919 and conducted the Leeds Symphony Orchestra playing a series of pieces of his own work.