[1] The building was designed by Charles Humphrey in the Palladian style, built in buff brick with stone facings at a cost of £6,000 and was opened as the Shire Hall in June 1821.

The central section of four bays formed a full-height tetrastyle portico with four fluted Doric order columns supporting an frieze with triglyphs and a pediment with the Royal coat of arms in the tympanum.

[1] In 1828, the Shire Hall was the venue for the trial and conviction of the poacher, John Rolfe, who was accused of murdering his poaching companion at Littleport.

[6] The building was initially used solely for judicial purposes but in 1850, it also became the meeting place of the local board, which met for the first time under the chairmanship of the dean of Ely Cathedral, George Peacock, on 11 October 1850.

[11] After the Second World War, the council converted the old fire station at 6 Lynn Road to become its offices and meeting place, and relocated there.