Barnsley Town Hall

The site selected for the new building in Church Street had previously been occupied by a row of domestic properties. The foundation stone for the building was laid by Councillor Robert Plummer, a former mayor, on 21 April 1932. The facility, which was designed by Sir Arnold Thornely in the classical style and built of Portland stone at a cost of was £148,697, was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 14 December 1933. incorporating a public clock by Gillett & Johnston. George Orwell, in his book The Road to Wigan Pier, was highly critical of this expenditure, and said that the council should have spent the money on improving the housing and living conditions of the local miners.