The site selected on the east side of Mare Street had formed the nave of the Church of St Augustine which was built in the late 13th century and demolished in 1798.

[3] It was then converted into a simple vestry office for the Parish of St John in the mid 19th century.

[4] In the late 19th century, the original building became an events venue and also accommodated the local masonic lodge.

[6][7] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of four bays facing onto Mare Street.

The central section, which was slightly projected forward, featured a doorcase formed by a pair of pilasters with lion masks supporting an open pediment containing a cartouche.