[1] In the first half of the 19th century, local corn merchants conducted their trade around the market cross, which was surmounted by a statue of the goddess, Ceres, and presented to the town by George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford in 1783.

The recesses were flanked by pilasters supporting the gable ends, which contained circular panels with carvings of wheatsheaves and were surmounted by modillioned cornices and parapets.

[1] The architectural historian, Nikolaus Pevsner, was critical of the design which he described as "a depressing round arched structure of red and gault brick like a Methodist church.

"[6] 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.

[8] The building was also used for public meetings: in September 1871, it hosted a visit and speech by the future president of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, Joseph Arch.