Town Hall

The Town Hall, built between 1877 and 1880 by T E Collcutt, is an impressive building designed in a freely-interpreted north European Gothic style with Jacobean decorative elements. The structure is arranged in an inverted U-shape, encompassing a large public room that may have originally been intended as the Council Chamber but now serves as the Magistrates Court.

The Town Hall features very steeply pitched Welsh slate roofs with ornamental shaped and pedimented gable ends, as well as tall, many-shafted chimneys. The exterior is constructed of ashlar in narrow, irregular courses, and the windows are primarily large 2 or 3-light cross casements. The main east front consists of three tall storeys and an attic, divided into three bays. The top storey showcases huge pedimented bay windows that break the eaves, while the attic is set back and includes a balustraded balcony. The first floor features oriel windows, and the projecting central entrance is adorned with free decorative detail and a balustraded balcony above.

At the north corner, there is a prominent tower with six stages, which includes a clock face and a deeply-arched stage above it, topped with a parapet and a set-back mansard. The fairly regular north front has three storeys and seven bays. The south elevation facing Lee Street has two large end masses crowned by gables, with a lower intermediate section that features a central entrance with a large round-arched doorway. A similar mass rises behind this section.

Collcutt also designed the interior, much of which has survived, including some furniture. Notable spaces include the Court Room, the Mayor's Parlour, the Council Chamber, and particularly the Members' Lounge, all of which contain rich relief decorations, carved fireplaces, and high-quality woodwork.