[2] After significant population expansion associated with the growth in the mining industry, civic leaders decided to procure a new town hall although the two structures coexisted almost alongside each other until 1900.

[2] The foundation stone for the new building was laid by with full masonic honours by Sir Archibald Alison on 16 July 1861.

[2] The building was extended to the east by an extra eight bays to the designs of Robert Dalgleish and John Thomson in 1877[3] and an iron canopy was erected outside the doorway in 1902.

[6][7] It continues to be used as a venue for weddings, theatrical performances and exhibitions,[8][9] while still providing some local services such as the Licensing and Registration Office.

There are also several Category B structures in close proximity (library, Old Parish Church, statue of Dr Gorman, tenement adjoining the town hall's east wing).