Dulverton Town Hall

The first municipal building on the site was a market hall which was completed in 1760.^[2][3][4] It was replaced by the current structure, which was designed in the neoclassical style, built in rubble masonry and was completed in around 1866. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with seven bays facing onto Fore Street: it was originally arcaded on the ground floor, so that markets could be held, with an assembly hall on the first floor.^[1] The first floor was fenestrated by sash windows.^[1] After market traders moved to other towns, use of the market hall on the ground floor declined, and it was converted for retail use in the 1870s.^[5] The openings in the outer and central bays were infilled with doorways, while the openings in the other bays were infilled with round headed windows with radiating glazing bars.^[1] In the late 19th century, petty session hearings took place in the building.^[6]

A porch and an external double staircase was added to a design by Sir Albert Richardson in 1927.^[3] The staircase was straight rather than curved, was decorated by wrought iron railings and was supported by a stone arch: it led to a first-floor porch with wrought iron bars supporting a wrought iron frieze with triglyphs and a flat canopy.^[1] The elaborate porch has been described by one architectural historian as "one of Richardson's best works".^[7] The upper hall was fitted out with a proscenium arch designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens at this time.^[5]

During the Second World War, the building was used a school to teach children evacuated from the major centres of population.^[8] The upper hall was also used as a cinema for United States Air Force personnel based at Knightshayes Court and other USAF bases in the local area.^[5][9] The lower ground floor was used as an antiques centre in the late 20th century,^[10] and then became a thrift shop, operated by the town hall management committee, with the proceeds being applied to the upkeep of the building.^[11] The lower ground floor also became the meeting place of Dulverton Town Council.^[12] Meanwhile, the upper hall reverted to use as a cinema, trading as Dulverton Films, in 2010.^[5]