The doorway was flanked by Corinthian order pilasters supporting an entablature, while the outer bays were fenestrated by paired round headed sash windows.

[3] The use of the building as a corn exchange declined significantly in the wake of the Great Depression of British Agriculture in the late 19th century.

[5] After the Second World War, it was used by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance as a food and unemployment office,[6] before falling into disuse.

In 1975, the building was acquired by the local amateur dramatic society, the Sinodun Players, whose president had been Dame Agatha Christie from 1951 until her death in 1976.

Following the completion of a major programme of refurbishment works, the building was re-opened as a theatre by Sir Peter Hall in 1978.