Heritage retail and leisure attraction to help drive recovery

The Piece Hall’s “exemplar” performance has been highlighted in its first annual review, detailing the period of its 2019-20 financial year, during which its income grew by more than a third.

Over the same period, close to 80% of the Halifax venue’s funding came from its own commercial activities.

The figures showcase the historic site’s potential for igniting regeneration in the post-Covid era.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and Storm Dennis, both of which forced The Piece Hall to shut its doors for extended periods, the report shows its finances are in excellent health, and visitor numbers have significantly beaten targets.

The report highlights the wider positive economic impact that The Piece Hall has had on Calderdale and the Yorkshire region. Key findings include:

• Since its landmark renovation in 2017, The Piece Hall has generated £26m for the local economy.
• Income grew in the year 2019/20 by 33.5% as compared to the previous year, whilst costs were reduced by a fifth.
• For the price of a cup of coffee per household, people across Calderdale enjoy The Piece Hall, for free, due to Calderdale Council’s investment, which amounts to 8.5% of The Piece Hall’s total funding.

Funded by Calderdale Council, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and with support from the Garfield Weston and Wolfson Foundations, a transformation project led to the operations of The Piece Hall being transferred to an independent trust who reopened The Piece Hall in 2017.

Since then, it has welcomed over seven million people. During the year 2019/20, 2.5m people visited, compared to estimates of around 1.6m made at the time of reopening.

Visitors were attracted to an all year-round programme of events of which one third were free. And The Piece Hall Trust has attracted over 40 independent retailers and hospitality businesses.

Nicky Chance-Thompson. Credit: Joan Russell Photography.

Nicky Chance-Thompson, chief executive of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “Despite the challenges of COVID-19, and thanks to our funders, we now stand ready to play an important role in national recovery efforts.

“The Piece Hall is so much more than just a building. It is woven into the very fabric of our town and is something that so many people are proud of.

“Calderdale Council’s 2019 Visitor Economic Survey identified The Piece Hall as being a key factor in the 14% increase in tourism experienced in the borough.

“All this is evidence of our ongoing contribution to the local economy and our important role in helping improve people’s lives and livelihoods.”

Roger Marsh, chairman of The Piece Hall Trust, Leeds City Region LEP and the NP11, the overarching body for the North’s 11 LEPs, said: “The pandemic has caused significant financial challenges for organisations and businesses of all sizes and sectors.

“However, thanks to funders who have recognised the importance of The Piece Hall, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Historic England, The Foyle Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation, we are in a strong financial position and ready to  support Calderdale’s post-pandemic recovery.

“Prior to the pandemic, I remain proud of the work ands economic uplift that The Piece Hall Trust has achieved in three short years.

“It really has created a sense of pride at a local and regional level. Our aim remains to take The Piece Hall to nationally and internationally iconic status in the future and continue to create an ‘extraordinary’ economic return to the people of Calderdale.”

Robin Tuddenham, chief executive of Calderdale Council, added: “The Piece Hall is a major part of Calderdale’s distinctive heritage and cultural story, cementing our place on the map as an international cultural destination.

“It’s fantastic to see the impact this magnificent building, and the local talent within it, is having on our visitor economy and our local sense of pride and place.

“The iconic visitor attraction and event destination contributed to the record-breaking year for Calderdale’s tourism economy in 2019, with research showing that The Piece Hall creates £5.30 for every £1 invested.”