Five new businesses open at historic Piece Hall
Five new businesses will soon be opening their doors at Halifax’s historic Piece Hall.
The former cloth hall, which has always championed independent businesses, is fast becoming a destination shopping experience with its expanding range of interesting and diverse shops. As well as retail, there are food and drink outlets offering something out of the ordinary as well as The Piece Hall’s own newly opened restaurant, The Trading Rooms.
The four new traders poised to sign their leases include two new places to eat and drink, a photographic studio and a gift shop offering curated gift boxes. The four new businesses will join A Piece of Christmas, a year round store specialising in festive themed ornaments and gifts which opened in September.
CEO of The Piece Hall, Nicky Chance-Thompson – who is a judge for next year’s Yorkshire Business Masters Awards – said: “We are always excited when new businesses comes to The Piece Hall and we are really looking forward to welcoming the new tenants into our thriving community.
“The Piece Hall is fast becoming a ‘must visit’ destination and has recently been referred to as an independent shopping and leisure Mecca. Each one of our independent shops, restaurants, cafes and bars have helped to build and cement this reputation.
“One of our primary objectives is to offer shoppers and visitors something different that additionally compliments the rich heritage of the building. The Piece Hall has always innovated and we feel that this is reflected in our tenant mix which will change and evolve over time. We see the evidence of our collective success every day with visitor numbers at The Piece Hall far exceeding expectations – it really has put the town and region on the map.”
Frances Bournes, who has been associated with The Piece Hall for many years, the idea for the shop came when she was chatting with her family. Having been a partner in the long standing model shop, Replicar, which has been at The Piece Hall since 1986, she knew that was where she wanted to be.
“It is absolutely wonderful, I am 100 per cent behind everything that has been done to improve The Piece Hall. I think it is a fabulous space, especially for families and it is a special place to come and work every day,” said Bournes.
Leaf, will occupy a 490 sq ft on the Rustic level of The Piece Hall and opened on Saturday, December 1. A vegan and eco-conscious store, it will be selling toiletries, gifts and some take-away food lines with a view to expanding into catering in the future. Owner Adrienne Sandy, has co-owned a vegetarian store in Mid Wales for the past five years, co-running it for 15 years before that and having adopted a vegan lifestyle four years ago, said: “I love the history of the building and since the sympathetic restoration I think it is even better. I enjoy the feeling of community amongst the people that work here and I’m really looking forward to being part of that.”
South Wall Photography chose The Piece Hall for its location and, owner Sara Brough said, for the fact it is definitely an up and coming destination. “I am very excited to be given the opportunity to be part of The Piece Hall,” she said.
The new 294 sq ft studio, on the Colonnade level, will be taking bookings from December 1.
Hudson Belle, is a gift shop which will offer curated gift boxes and is the only stockist of Sid Dickens Memory Blocks in the North of England. It is owned by Lou Harkness-Hudson, a former NHS nurse who said her career had given her an understanding of how important the support of others can be during testing, and happier, times.
“I have created a business that will enable people to give gifts with love and meaning to support loved ones or friends through times that may test them.”
The 245 sq ft shop on The Piece Hall’s Colonnade level is due to open on December 12. Harkness-Hudson said: “I feel it has a sense of community and it has all the qualities that I want my new business to emulate,” she said.
The Wine Barrel chose The Piece Hall for its location as it felt the unique venue was a perfect fit for the brand which takes its inspiration from Europe’s wine scene and culture. The concept is to offer something not seen every day and this is embodied in its range of products which include craft label wines, different rums and eight beers on draught.
However the wine specialists will also be offering something a little different in pairing it with different chocolates. Owners Andrew and Jamie Carr said many people are put off from being adventurous with wine but they want everyone to feel like a connoisseur.
