[1] In the 19th century the Shire Hall in Market Square became well established as the venue for judicial meetings and civic functions in the county.

[3] The council initially met at the Shire Hall,[4] but shortly after the council's creation it was decided to procure new county offices: the site they selected in Martin Street immediately adjoined the Shire Hall and had previously been occupied by several a row of retail properties.

[1] Internally, the principal room was the council chamber which featured plasterwork by Frederick Schenck as well as figures sculpted by William Aumonier.

[1] Additional offices in a similar style were subsequently built on the opposite southern side of Martin Street in 1913 and 1925.

[8][9] In April 2009 the council announced plans for a new headquarters in Tipping Street: the new offices were designed by 3DReid, built by Volker Fitzpatrick at a cost of £38 million and completed in October 2011.