The medieval timberframe Guildhall was built beside the market on High Street in the town centre.
Little is known about the medieval structure, which comprised a hall and possibly 1 or 2 cross-wings. Some reused building materials remained as late as 1973 in the W wing, including timber from the 15th or early 16th c. that was used to construct a new roof in the 18th c., and moulded ceiling beams from a reconstruction in the late 16th or early 17th c.
The hall was used as a performance venue by touring companies, including the Queen’s, King’s, and Prince’s, who performed there in the late 16th and early 17th c. Performances at the hall, including plays, concerts, and variety shows, were recorded as late as the 1750s.
Long demolished. A commemorative plaque currently marks the location of the former Guildhall (now privately owned property).
1416: Earliest known reference to the site as the property of the guild of St John the Baptist.
by 1426: Functioning as the town hall and meeting place of the assembly of burgesses.
by 1483: Construction of the kitchen completed.
1546: Guild of St John the Baptist suppressed; corporation took over the guild’s buildings as well as its municipal functions.
1566: Records indicate that the hall was used for marriages and church ales.
Late 16th/early 17th c.: Upper floor reconstructed.
By 1621: The manor court held in a room referred to as the ‘court chamber.’
By 1631: Construction of a parlour and court solar completed.
1627: A charter granted the corporation the right to a borough jail, located in the guildhall.
Late 17th c.: Borough and manor courts held in the guildhall.
1768-9: New room built over, and a second parlour next to, the hall.
1769: Part of the site functioned as the Green Dragon Inn (later known as the ‘Dragon’), while the hall and other rooms remained in use for corporate business.
ca. 1773: Guildhall rebuilt, following an order to the lessee of the Green Dragon requiring ‘a sashed front, a parapet, and a stone cornice.’ In the new complex, the hall was located in the centre block, flanked by an E wing containing the mayor’s parlour and a W wing containing part of the Dragon Inn.
ca. 1783-1817: Bay window added to the front of the W wing.
1815: Borough jail rebuilt. The new building consisted of 6 cells around a yard below street level.
1865-7: Centre block and E wing demolished and replaced by a brick and stone building consisting of 2 storeys and a basement designed by G.B. Nichols.
1884-88: The offices were transferred to a new building on the corner of Bridge Street and Goodall Street. The guildhall continued to function as a magistrates’ court.
1908-12: Dragon inn ceased to function.
1973: Work began on a new court building on Stafford Street to replace the hall.
1985-6: Guildhall converted for commercial use.
