[2] Following incorporation as a municipal borough in September 1850,[3] the new civil leaders at South Shields Corporation acquired the building for use as a town hall in 1855.

[6] Despite some designs being considered, this came to nothing amidst widespread local objections about the cost of the project and its use of the existing Marketplace location, which was deemed unsuitable for a larger building.

[1] It was designed by Ernest Fatch in the Edwardian Baroque style, was built at a cost of £78,000 and was officially opened by the Mayor, George Thomas Grey, on 19 October 1910.

[1] The architect installed a 46.6 meters (153 ft) high clock tower,[15] with a belfry (with figures representing the four seasons of the year at the corners) and a copper galleon on top, which rose above the north pavilion.

[19] In order to provide additional office space, a modern extension along Beach Road was opened by the mayor, Alderman Jack Richardson, on 19 October 1960.