This is the Old Town Hall which preceded it, an outpost of the Dean & Chapter of Durham when it was built in 1768. The land was originally owned by St Hilda's church next door - the Dean & Chapter bought 8 acres of land from them in return for £30 per annum to fund a market square and the buildings. Alongside this, a charter was sought to permit a weekly market and two larger annual fairs. The first was held in 1771.

It was originally a meeting hall and a manorial court, primarily dealing with land disputes and local feuds. The vaulted shelter are underneath was reserved for market traders, where folk would sell eggs and corn to the townspeople.

As South Shields became a borough in 1850, the Corporation were gifted the powers to compulsory purchase land for municipal improvement. Though this mechanism, they picked up this building for £500 in 1855. From thereon, this tiny little elevated space became the council chamber.

Somehow this space has lasted the rest of time. Only 14 years later the council made plans to demolish and rebuild a new town hall fitting of the growing town but opposition was too strong. With this said, the virulent support to stay in this building meant it was unlikely to ever happen. It was noted the current town hall was sufficient, and only the desire to increase the towns standing and provide a luxurious municipal building were sufficient arguments.

Some 80 years after, it survived a bombing raid by only a few metres and is now one of the last bastions of pre-19th century South Shields.