After significant industrial growth in the second half of the 19th century, particularly in relation to the coal industry, Ashington Urban District Council was formed in 1896.[1] The new civic leaders decided to procure dedicated council chambers: the site chosen was open land between Ashington Colliery to the west and Ashington railway station to the east.[2]
The foundation stone for the new building was laid by the mayor, Councillor W. Miller, on 19 April 1911.[3] It was designed in the neoclassical style and was completed in 1913.[4] The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage with five bays facing onto Station Road; the central bay, which slightly projected forward, featured a doorway with brackets supporting a cornice; there was a triple window on the first floor and an open pediment containing a carved garland.[4] There was a clock tower with a lantern at the north west corner of the building,[4] which was fitted with an hour-striking clock by Potts.[5]
After a significant increase in the number of council employees, the council chambers were completely reconstructed at a cost of £9,000 in 1937.[6][7] While the façade of the old building was retained the changes were significant: an extra floor was added, the old clock tower was demolished and a new clock tower rose from above the doorway.[8] The clock and strike were electrified by Charles Potts & Co.,[5] and four new bells by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough were added to sound the quarter chimes.[9] The building remained the headquarters of the urban district council for much of the 20th century and became known as Ashington Town Hall.[10]
The footballers, Jack and Bobby Charlton, visited the building for a civic reception on 18 August 1966 to celebrate England's win in the 1966 World Cup.[11][12] The building ceased to be the local seat of government when the enlarged Wansbeck District Council was formed in 1974.[13] However, a programme of remedial works to the clock tower were completed in September 2006[14] and Ashington Town Council established its base in the building shortly after it was formed in 2010.[15] A further programme of refurbishment works for the interior of the building was completed in September 2014.[16]
