After significant population growth, largely associated with the needle and fishing tackle industries, a local board of health was formed in the area in 1858.

The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage erected around a courtyard facing onto Alcester Street which featured fountains and an octagonal kiosk with a pyramid-shaped roof.

[6] Internally, the principal room was the council chamber which was established in a single storey polygonal structure in the south east corner of the complex.

"[8] The town hall was the venue, in October 1984, for the annual Aneurin Bevan Memorial Lecture during which the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Roy Hattersley, spoke about reducing unemployment and repatriating capital back to the UK.

[11][12] It was also decided that the west wing would be converted to accommodate a National Health Service clinic, while the council chamber would move to the second floor.