The History Of The Council Offices

113 High Street, Cricklade

The former Ockwells Glove Factory, a Grade II listed building, was purchased by North Wiltshire District Council in 1996. The building was constructed in 1861 by a local builder, to provide the community with a Town Hall, following the demolition of the previous Town Hall. The building was used for various meetings including the Petty Sessional and Manorial Courts, the Cricklade Assemblies and the Parish Council. Services were held in the hall during the restoration of St Sampson’s Church in 1862.

In 1933 the building was sold to Charles Ockwell & Co, a glove manufacturer and the town’s largest employer. It continued to flourish during World War II and the building was extended to cope with military contracts. During the 1980s trade declined and the business ceased to trade in 1994. Since that time the building had been in civic ownership and subject to restoration plans.

The re-use of the factory buildings now provide a variety of community uses which include the offices for Cricklade Town Council, a doctors surgery, a library, a Tourist Information Point and a multi functional meeting room.