[2][6] The design made extensive use of jettied timber framing: on the ground floor the building was arcaded to allow markets to be held; the first floor, which jutted out over the pavement on three sides, featured four small gothic windows on each side and the attic floor, which jutted out further, featured two small bay windows on each side.

[3][7] The guildhall was used as meeting place for the town which flourished after receiving a charter from Queen Mary I in the mid-16th century but then declined after the charter was rescinded when King James II fell from power in the late 17th century.

[8] Further refurbishment work, including timber restoration, was carried out in 1911 and again, as part of European Architectural Heritage Year, in 1975.

[9] Works of art in the guildhall include a portrait of the prominent British Christian socialist and local priest, the Reverend Conrad Noel, by Frank William Carter.

[10][a] There is also a small museum in the building exhibiting photographs and objects associated with the town and its development over time.