Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall stands in Prince of Wales Road, Cromer, Norfolk. It is a red-brick building with a stucco finish, designed in the Queen Anne style by George Skipper. The symmetrical frontage has five bays, with a round-headed doorway and a four-part window above. A panel between the floors displays coats of arms of local figures including Sir Nicholas de Weyland and Sir Bartholomew Reade. The main assembly hall inside once held 900 people. The building’s history reflects Cromer’s growth in the 19th century. It opened in 1890 after local businessmen raised funds, with the foundation stone laid by Mrs Benjamin Bond-Cabbell. The town council never used it, preferring other offices by 1928. During the Second World War it served as a military base before returning to theatre use. Today the former town hall houses a shop called Harbord’s Artisan Vintage Emporium. The interior still shows its grand assembly hall, though now filled with vintage goods. The restored façade and decorative details remain visible from Prince of Wales Road.