[2][3] In the early-20th century, a group of local businessmen decided to form a company to raise funds for the erection of a combined town hall and constitutional club in the town:[4] the site they selected was vacant land on the south side of Westgate.

[5] The new building was designed by Walter Brierley in the neoclassical style, built in red and buff bricks with stone dressings and was officially opened on 16 July 1913.

[7] During the First World War, the town hall was used as a Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment auxiliary hospital.

[6] After initial good attendances, the volume of cinema viewers fell sharply and the venue closed after a couple of years.

[11] The building subsequently started operating as a community centre operating under the name "Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall" and became the meeting place of both Thirsk Town Council[12] and Sowerby Parish Council.