The Town Hall

The Town Hall, designed by architect C.E. Ponting in 1902, is a Grade II listed building located at the east end of High Street. It showcases a blend of William and Mary and Renaissance architectural styles. The building has two storeys, featuring a brick plinth and ground floor, with a roughcast first floor accented by brick quoins and dressings. Brick string courses run along the structure, which is topped with a steeply pitched tiled roof that has a projecting bracketed moulded cornice and a domed arcaded lantern at the ridge. The main facade, which is the side elevation facing down High Street, includes an elaborate stone centerpiece with paired squat Doric columns on pedestals, supporting a vertical entablature that frames the entrance arch with keystones. Above this, heavy scrolled brackets support large Renaissance bay windows that have mullioned and transomed lights, a balcony, and a parapet balustrade. An ornate stone armorial feature is positioned above the entrance. On either side of the entrance, there are large round-headed windows with stone imposts, architraves, and keystones, along with inset panelled balustrades below the sills. The Town Hall plays a significant role in closing the vista of High Street and forms a group with Nos 1 to 12 (consecutive) and Nos 131 to 144 (consecutive) as well as Midland Bank.