[1] Following significant population growth, largely associated with the manufacturing of curtains and carpets, Darvel became a police burgh in 1872.

[2] Initially, the burgh council had no dedicated meeting place but, in the late 19th century, they decided to procure a town hall.

[3] The building was designed by Thomas Henry Smith in the neoclassical style, built in red sandstone and was completed in 1905.

[8][2] The building subsequently served as a community events venue as well as the home of the local public library.

[11] Since 2002, the building has also been the main venue for the Darvel Music Festival, which is organised annually by Neil McKenna, and his wife Shelia.