[4] However, the new council leaders needed a permanent meeting place and the site they chose was on the south side of Cross Street in an area known as The High.

[5] The new town hall was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd in the modern style, built in concrete and was officially opened by Lord Attlee in 1960.

The site selected incorporated the footprint of the old town hall but also extended south towards a landscaped area, which contained concrete lined pools known as the Water Gardens.

[13][14] The new complex was designed by Benoy Architects in the modern style,[15] built in concrete and glass and was officially opened by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester on 19 May 2004.

The civic centre was at the west end of the complex and featured a three bay rectangular portico formed by columns supporting a balcony and a series of huge louvres on the first floor.