The origins of the building lie in the early 19th century, when four Loughborough tradesmen began a movement to provide the town with a public gathering place.

[2][5] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with nine bays facing onto the Market Place; the central section of three bays, which slightly projected forward, featured a round headed doorway with a fanlight flanked by two rounded headed sash windows separated by Doric order columns supporting an entablature and a balcony.

[1] On the first floor there were round headed sash windows separated by Ionic order columns supporting an entablature and a cornice and, at roof level, there was a two-stage decorative bellcote.

[7] The primary uses in its earliest days were as a ground floor corn exchange hall, where local farmers could meet and trade.

Until 1888 Loughborough had no town charter and was administered by the lord of the manor, and more latterly by local boards with specific responsibility for water and sanitation works, highways, schools, and burials.

[11] Charnwood likewise has its main offices at Southfields (which was substantially extended in 1990)[12] but holds full council meetings at Loughborough Town Hall.