| Description | Elliptical cloth hall, built in 1766 by Sir John Ramsden, enlarged by his son in 1780, and then altered in 1848 by his grandson. Constructed in brick (an unusual building material at this date), the 2 storey high structure, and inside (originally) featured diametrical avenue of stalls, one storey high, which divided the interior into two semi circles a further diametrical avenue was later added in the second half of the 19th century, dividing the interior into four triangles (see OS map, dated 1889). Although the building presented blank walls to the exterior (thus giving a secure trading space internally) the entrance area displayed some architectural flair, by featuring round headed openings, a pediment, and a clock tower with a belfry and cupola (Haigh, p.279).
The Cloth Hall was demolished in 1930, and was replaced by a cinema (Haigh, p.353). Architectural remains from the former cloth hall entrance have been re erected in Ravensknowle Park (SE 1630 1654) and are Grade II listed (LBS No. 419755). |