Moot Hall
17-18 Market Pl,Newark NG24 1EA
Moot Hall: From Royal Decrees to Flat Whites
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Moot Hall is a building that’s worn many hats—and probably a few wigs. Originally built in 1708 to replace the medieval King’s Hall, it was Newark’s main municipal building until the Town Hall took over in 1776
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The story of Moot Hall begins with its predecessor, the King’s Hall, a medieval municipal building that stood proudly on the north side of Newark’s Market Place. In 1547, the Bishop of Lincoln handed over ownership of Newark to the Crown, and the building earned its regal name
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By the early 18th century, Newark’s civic leaders decided it was time for a glow-up. The King’s Hall was replaced by a new structure in 1708, designed in the neoclassical style and built from red brick. This new building—Moot Hall—was a statement of civic ambition and architectural elegance
Moot Hall’s design was a masterclass in Georgian
symmetry and style:
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• A seven-bay façade faced the Market Place, giving it a stately presence.
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• The ground floor featured a colonnade of six Doric columns, allowing markets to operate beneath the building’s upper floors.
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• Sash windows adorned the first and second floors, while three dormer windows peeked out from the attic.
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• The coat of arms of John Holles, Duke of Newcastle (whose seat was at Clumber Park), was affixed to the second floor, adding a noble flourish
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This wasn’t just a pretty façade—it was Newark’s beating civic heart. Moot Hall hosted manorial courts, quarter sessions, and borough meetings until the Newark Town Hall opened in 1776
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After its civic duties were handed over to the Town Hall, Moot Hall began its second life as a commercial hub. In the late 18th century, it was described as “an extensive brick-built dwelling-house and large shop,” occupied by Messrs. Fisher and Fillingham, who likely sold everything from haberdashery to horsehair
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In 1836, the building was purchased by Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle, and continued its retail journey. By 1924, it had become home to A. F. Coyne, a radio and music shop that brought the sound of the 20th century to Newark
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But by the early 1960s, the building was in trouble. Structural issues threatened its survival. Enter Currys, the electrical retailer, who bought the building in 1963 and undertook a dramatic restoration. Contrary to local legend, Moot Hall was not dismantled brick by brick. Instead, it was restored around a modern steel frame, preserving the original façade and roof design. The architect behind this feat was Robert Ingram, who ensured the building retained its historic charm while gaining modern stability
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Today, Moot Hall is home to a Starbucks, serving flat whites where once quarter sessions were held. It’s a curious juxtaposition—modern coffee culture nestled inside a building that once echoed with legal arguments and civic decisions