[5] The new town hall was designed in the Gothic Revival style, built in fine sandstone at a cost of £5,000 and was completed in 1890.

[3] After the area became an urban district, with the town hall as its headquarters, in 1894,[7] the new council designated some rooms for teaching and a new school was established in the building in 1895.

[8] The town hall ceased to be the local seat of government when the enlarged Ennerdale Rural District Council was formed at Cleator Moor in 1934.

[7][9] It was subsequently used as a venue for community events including theatre and cinema performances.

[11] However, there was limited interest from purchasers and the building was withdrawn from sale, so that the local public library could relocate to the town hall later that year.