[2] It was designed by a local architect, George Atkins, in the neoclassical style, built in ashlar stone at a cost of £10,000 and was completed in 1854.

The central bay featured a tetrastyle portico formed by four Ionic order columns supporting a modillioned pediment.

[4] The official opening was celebrated by a concert performed by an orchestra of between 80 and 90 local people, with all the money raised being donated to the Patriotic Fund.

[10][11] An extensive programme of refurbishment works, involving the conversion of the building into an arts centre to a design by Hudson Architects,[12] commenced in January 2016.

[13] Following completion of the works, which were undertaken at a cost of £1.7 million with financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund,[14] the new arts centre was opened by the mayor, Mike Barwell, on 5 May 2017.