[3] The foundation stone for the current building was laid in 1868: a stand collapsed during the ceremony killing a member of the public.

[3] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with seven bays facing onto West Street; the central section of three bays, which slightly projected forward, featured a round headed doorway on the ground floor, and three stained glass windows on the first floor: there was an ornately carved pediment with a statue depicting justice at roof level.

[5] In 1892 an ornamental clock (By Gillett & Johnston), which is Grade II listed and stands in front of the town hall,[8] was presented to Gateshead by the mayor, Walter de Lancey Willson, on the occasion of him being elected for a third time.

[3] The town hall was occupied by the Microelectronics Applications Research Institute ('MARI') who established their head office in the building from 1987 to 2001.

[13] The Tyneside Cinema occupied the town hall under a short term lease while a restoration and renovation project was undertaken on their premises in Newcastle upon Tyne between November 2006 and May 2008.