[1] Following significant population growth, largely associated with the linen and rope-making industries, the town became a municipal borough in 1842.

Council meetings were initially held in a small rented building in Victoria Square which later became part of the premises of Cantrell & Cochrane.

The building was fenestrated on both floors by round headed windows with voussoirs and, at roof level, there was a balustraded parapet across the whole frontage.

[7][8] Carson also made the old town hall available for use as the barracks of the Ulster Volunteer Force under the command of Lieutenant General Sir George Richardson.

[1] After the war, the building continued to serve as the headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party and then became the home of Belfast Educational Committee in 1927.