The Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall, formerly known as The Clock House Laundry, is a Grade II* listed building located at 1 Wine Street, built between 1750 and 1752 by an architect named Lawrence. Originally the Cheese Hall, it served as a Town Hall during the construction of the current building and later as a depot for the militia.

This two-storey structure features a prominent Bath stone front with four bays and a pediment facing the Market Place. The ground floor has a rusticated treatment with four arched openings that have slightly projecting springers. This arcade has been restored, with windows added in the early 19th century. Above, a slightly projecting string course at the first floor level supports five semi-engaged Ionic columns and two outer angle Ionic piers, all with moulded bases and carved capitals. These elements support an entablature, a curved frieze, and a pediment. The building has a short parapet with moulded coping at the angles and four tall windows on the first floor with moulded sills.

The tympanum features elaborate carved decorations of scrolls and floral designs, with a pair of cupids in relief supporting a central clock framed by a rich wreath and crowned with the Town Arms. The side elevation facing St John's Street mirrors the main design but in a simpler form, with four similar bays, pilasters on the upper part, and a panelled parapet instead of a pediment. The exterior stonework and carving are of exceptionally high quality and appear to be well-preserved.

The Old Town Hall is part of a group with Nos 1 to 4 Wine Street.