Planners decided to designate the entrance to the area, since named Central Park, as the site of a new municipal building which was intended to be the work premises for members of the local authority.

[2] Construction of the Civic Centre, which was undertaken by Allen Fairhead and Sons Limited,[3] began in 1936 and was completed in October the following year.

[4] He originally intended the building to be part of a complex which was to also include a fire station, library, shops, assembly hall and theatre, but the plan never came to fruition.

[4] The interior features a stair hall which is made using champagne-coloured Botticino marble and the ceilings are decorated with art deco paintings.

[8] In 1964 the local authority deemed the Civic Centre too small to house the 500 staff that they employed so built extensions to the south.

The work was carried out by the architectural practice Richard Griffiths & Hawkins Brown who removed all non-original fittings and restored the original stonework.

The main Council Chamber was fitted with audio-visual equipment, air conditioning, a scene-setting lighting scheme, induction loops and more flexible furniture to allow different seating plans.

[10] The Labour politician for Dagenham and Rainham, Jon Cruddas, led calls to retain the building as a result of overwhelming public support.