The complex has its origins in two houses constructed in the 18th century. In around 1830 the two were united under the ownership of Thomas Leach, a local manufacturer of worsted and woollens.[2] In about 1850, he redivided the property, and let one of the properties, No. 10, to his son-in-law, John Pennington, who was a wine salesman. After Leach died, probably in the 1870s, ownership passed to Pennington, who continued to live in No. 10, letting the other property, No. 11, to a local school mistress, Susan Dix. In 1887, Pennington sold both houses to a consortium of three property owners, who then let No. 11 to a pharmacist, John Cadge. In 1920, No. 11 was sold to a greengrocer, Albert James Cooper.[3]
After the local rural sanitary authority was succeeded by Diss Urban District Council in 1894,[4] the new civic leaders established their offices at The Terrace in Diss.[5][6] As the responsibilities of the council increased, it sought larger premises and, in 1938, the council decided to acquire both No. 10 and No. 11 Market Hill to accommodate a dedicated council chamber and municipal offices.[7]
The building continued to serve in that capacity for much of the next four decades,[8] but ceased to be the local seat of government when South Norfolk District Council was formed at Farthing Green House in Loddon in 1974.[9][10] The building on Market Hill subsequently became the offices of Diss Town Council,[11] although the town council held its meetings at the Corn Hall.[12][13]
The council chamber continues to be used for public events. In November 2012, a ceremony was held there during which the Royal Anglian Regiment received the Freedom of Diss.[14]
