[1][2] In the late 1950s, Maidenhead Borough Council decided to demolish the aging 18th guildhall and replace it with a modern facility.

[4] King Henry VIII granted St Ives Place to Anne of Cleves for life as part of his divorce settlement with her in 1541.

[5] In the 18th century, it had become the home of Peniston Powney, the MP for Berkshire[6] and by the early 1920s it was owned by another politician, Lord Desborough.

[5] The new building, which was designed by North & Partners and Sir Hubert Worthington in the Neo-Georgian style, was officially opened by the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, in June 1962.

[7][8] The Desborough Suite, which was created to offer conferencing and theatre facilities, was named in honour of the former owner of St Ives Place.