Image: The Old Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1042854

Description: The Old Town Hall. This grade II* listed building (for listing particulars see http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=289342&resourceID=5) was built in around 1728 as a replacement market hall for a similar building that once stood near West Street. The cupola and clock were added in 1811 having been removed from the recently demolished nearby town prison ("the cage" - a new prison cage was built in what is now Cage Yard - see 1042857). In 1853, a chimney was added in each corner during alterations carried out by Lord Somers (who owned much of Reigate at the time) - they were removed in the 1980s, being out of keeping with the remainder of the building. It served as the town hall from 1863 to 1901, when the role transferred to the new municipal buildings in Castlefield Road (see 630757), after which it gained the name "Old Town Hall" by which it is now generally known. The building was used for petty court sessions from 1876, magistrates sitting there into the 1880s. It has been owned by the local council since 1922, with recent use including art and photographic exhibitions. However, following much debate over a longer term use to justify restoration, in 2008 it became a Caffe Nero coffee shop. Note the reference to a former user of the shop premises to the right of the building (now Carphone Warehouse) - Eames Outfitters; the building itself dates from the early 17th century and is grade II listed.
Title: The Old Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1042854
Credit: From geograph.org.uk
Author: Ian Capper
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
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