After King Edgar awarded the right to hold markets to the town in the year 972, trading in corn, cattle and vegetables centred on Broad Street.

[4] The new building was designed by Edward Browning in the Tudor Gothic style, built by Henry Bradshaw in ashlar stone and was officially opened on 28 January 1859.

[7] After the interior of the building was badly damaged in a fire in March 1925, the structure was rebuilt behind the original façade to a design by Traylen and Lenton.

It was acquired by a newly formed charity, the Corn Exchange Theatre Company, in 2001 and was extensively refurbished at a cost of £1 million between 2003 and 2008 to create a modern auditorium with raked seating.

[9] Subsequent performers have included the singer-songwriter, Shaun Ryder, in February 2022,[10] the columnist, Katie Hopkins, in May 2023,[11] and the comedian, Jasper Carrott, in June 2023.