[2] It was built in red brick and terracotta, and designed by local borough surveyor Joseph Lobley.

[3] Conductors who have appeared at the hall include Edward Elgar who conducted the first performance of his composition King Olaf (Op 30).

In 1996 Donald Hunt conducted the BBC Philharmonic and the Ceramic City Choir in a revival to mark the centenary of the premiere.

[6] Originally the building had a capacity of 2,800 people, but this has since been reduced considerably to 1,467 as seating replaced wooden forms and benches.

This building interlinks with the hall, providing a new entrance space with better facilities for the audiences and performers along with access for the disabled to all parts of the house.