Record breaking visitor figures for heritage leisure and retail attraction
The Piece Hall today marks the fifth anniversary of its 2017 re-opening following a multi-million pound refurbishment with the news that it has now welcomed over 10 million visitors.
It is despite being affected for over a year by pandemic lockdowns and restrictions.
Over the past five years, the Halifax visitor attraction has welcomed hundreds of thousands of people to its makers’ markets and more than 140,000 music fans to its live shows, with almost 60,000 people attending Live at The Piece Hall 2022 alone.
CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, Nicky Chance-Thompson, said: “We are all so proud of what we’ve achieved in the last five years, in some incredibly challenging circumstances.
“Pandemics seemed like the stuff of Hollywood movies when our beautiful building reopened in 2017 and who could have imagined what we have all lived through since then?
“But we’ve survived and are now beginning to thrive with the return of world-class arts and music events and we’ve even welcomed some genuine Hollywood stars this year.
“I know just how precious this building is to the people of Halifax and I’m honoured to be entrusted with its care.”
Chair of The Piece Hall Trust, Sir Roger Marsh, said: “These results are testament to the hard work of Nicky and the team and proof that heritage can successfully be used as the currency of the future, bringing big benefits regionally and nationally.
“Taking lockdown into account, The Piece Hall is averaging three million visitors a year.
“It’s been incredibly satisfying to watch the vision for the transformation of The Piece Hall become a reality and to observe the tremendous sense of renewed pride in the area this has created.”
Councillor Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council, said: “The impact The Piece Hall has had on Calderdale and the wider region over the last five years is phenomenal. It makes a substantial contribution to our economy, community and international profile as the place to be for culture.
“We’re seeing a great deal of energy, optimism and creativity in local businesses and our wider communities, who are eager to bounce back from the pandemic.
“This, and the level of ambition for Calderdale’s future, is clearly reflected in The Piece Hall’s hugely successful gigs season, ongoing events and independent businesses.”
David Renwick, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: It’s important to acknowledge how valuable the Culture Recovery Fund has been for the UK’s heritage.
“It helped a diverse range of heritage organisations from across the country survive, adapt and plan for a brighter future and The Piece Hall is a great example of the importance and success of it. This funding provided a future for much of our heritage when it might otherwise have been permanently lost.”
The Piece Hall is now in the midst of delivering a programme of summer events, most of which are free to attend. Planning is well underway for a festive season later in the year and an even bigger and better set of live shows in 2023.
