History of Retford Town Hall

The Moot Hall: 1388-1754

A Moot Hall was erected by the town in 1388 in the Market Place, between the Square and St Swithun’s Church, built of timber and slate. It was replaced by a similar building after a fire which destroyed much of the town in 1528.

John Piercy, a local historian, described this Moot Hall in 1828:  “The roof was surmounted by a small cupola, of a very antiquated appearance, containing a bell, but no clock. This bell was rung at the commencement of the markets, and was also used for summoning the inhabitants to attend the courts, and the Council sessions, etc. Underneath the hall, were the shambles. The body of the hall was usually appropriated to the performance of theatrical and other amusements until at length it was deemed imperatively necessary to take it down to prevent it from falling. In 1754 the corporation resolved upon its demolition.”

The Old Town Hall: 1755 – 1868

In 1755 a Town Hall was built on the site of the old Moot Hall. It was used for similar functions and had a bell, a clock and a weathercock. Underneath the council and court room and the assembly room were the shambles [weighed meat market].  The markets for other goods were held outside to the east, however, the corn market was held in the Square.  In 1864 it was decided that this building was an obstruction to traffic passing through the town and a new site was sought, and the Town Hall was demolished in 1868.

The Town Hall: 1868 – Present

Retford’s current Town Hall, on the south of the Square, was started in June 1866 and opened in January 1868, built on the site of an 18^th century townhouse. This was one of a group of new civic buildings.

A design competition for architects was held by the East Retford Town Corporation, won by the Lincoln firm of Bellamy and Hardy after public inspection of all the designs.  There were concerns from the townspeople regarding the cost and the site of the new buildings that had to be resolved before construction.  In the end the land cost £2,000 and three buildings £7,000 including the Shambles and Corn Exchange on a new road to the south, Exchange Street. A new Court House was also built there.

The Town Hall included a grand-staircase, a ball-room with gallery, and Council chamber and Mayor’s Parlour on the first floor, a butter and poultry market, and County Court offices, on the ground floor, and a hall-keeper’s residence at the rear including catering kitchens with a lift to the ball-room. Features from the previous town hall were transferred such as the clock and two chandeliers.

Most of the building is brick although the front is of Bath stone (a limestone), with the plinths and columns of Nottinghamshire Mansfield Red stone. The design is Italianate with the roofs of French mansard design. The clock tower resembles the previous Town Hall clock tower; a new clock and bells were provided in 1902, although the bells are no longer used.

In the 1930s a larger Court House replaced that of 1868, and a Mayor’s Parlour was created from the two offices at the front of the Town Hall.

The East Retford Borough Council was abolished on 1 April 1974 and ownership of the Town Hall passed to the new Bassetlaw District Council. It is still used today for council meetings and is available for hire for weddings and other events.

The Town Hall is a Grade II listed building. It is described as:

Dated 1867, opened 1868 architects Bellamy and Hardy of Lincoln. 2 storeys in ashlar with fish-scale covered roof with 1 circular dormer in wood ornamental frame with finial. Wood clock tower with pediments to 4 faces, octagonal bell-cote, weathervane. Side roofs of French chateau style with iron frieze. Balustraded parapet with carved finials. Side wings break forward. Modillion eaves cornice. 1st floor has 1-3-1 windows, round arches, the outer windows with foliated keystones and marble corner pilasters. Curved balconies to 3 centre windows. Ground floor has 3 segmental-headed windows and 2 entrances, 1 to yard, with paired columns