The Town Council (also known as the Burgh Council) met in the Town Hall, constructed in 1811 on the site of an old tollbooth. A statue of Sir Pulteney Malcolm used to stand in front of it, but it was moved to the rear in 1886, much to the ire of some local residents, one of whom climbed the pedestal in protest while the statue was being moved. The clock in the bell tower was illuminated from the same year. The building contained meeting rooms, a court room and prison cells. Originally owned by the Duke of Buccleuch, it was granted to the town in 1894.