[5] Civic leaders acquired the corn exchange from the original developer, with the intention of creating public rooms for the proposed town hall, in 1875.

[2] A statue of Sir Rowland Hill, the locally born Victorian postal reformer, was unveiled in front of the corn exchange in June 1881.

[3][6] In the early 20th century the complex hosted visits by famous political figures including the future Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, in 1904 and the suffragette, Emmeline Pankhurst in 1912.

[7][8] In 1943, during the Second World War, a plaque was unveiled in the town hall entrance to commemorate the borough's fund raising achievements during Wings for Victory Week.

[9] The town hall continued to be used as a public venue and concert performers included the contralto singer, Kathleen Ferrier, who made an appearance on 16 April 1947.