This grade II* listed building was built in around 1728 as a replacement market hall for a similar building that once stood near West Street. For listing particulars see
Link.
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
TQ2550 : The Cage). 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
TQ2550 : Reigate Town Hall), 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 was owned by the local council from 1922, having been donated by local benefactor Randal Vogan, who had purchased it the previous year in the "Great sale of Reigate", in which much of the town was sold to individuals following the death of Lady Henry Somerset of Reigate Priory. (Randal Vogan had done the same with Park Hill, resulting in part of the present day Priory Park.) Use of the Old Town Hall included a meeting room and art and photographic exhibitions. However, following much debate over a longer term use to justify restoration, in 2008 it became a Caffè Nero coffee shop.
Here it is seen the Saturday before St George's Day, bedecked with St George's flags.