The new building was commissioned to replace the Old Town Hall, which had been converted for use as a free library.

It was designed by James Newman, broadly in the Arts and Crafts movement style, built in red brick, and was officially opened by Princess Beatrice on 11 February 1903.

[2][7][8] The design involved a gabled main frontage facing onto The Bull Ring.

It was fenestrated by a two-storey mullioned window, which was flanked by half-timbered panels and surmounted by a wooden pediment.

[13] A large wooden carving of a black bull, sculpted by local artist, Paul Sivell, was installed to the right of the town hall in late 2003.