Council pledges to continue backing historic attraction
Members of Calderdale Council have agreed to continue making funding contributions to The Piece Hall, in Halifax, in their budget for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The decision was made at the latest full meeting of the council, where councillors considered a report outlining a need for ongoing investment in this retail and leisure destination at a time of rising operating costs.
Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s leader, said: “We are incredibly proud of The Piece Hall and everything the Piece Hall Trust continues to do to keep this magnificent destination firmly on the map.
“Our continued investment in The Piece Hall reaffirms the council’s commitment to this distinctive cultural, heritage, trade and community asset.
“The Piece Hall is a major part of Calderdale’s identity, heritage, culture and economy, which is recognised locally, nationally and internationally.
“As a cultural venue attracting 2.4 million visitors annually, its role in Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024 will be crucial, as well as its ongoing contribution to the council’s priority for thriving towns and places through its positive impact on our economy and local businesses.”
The council notes that since reopening in 2017, The Piece Hall has added nearly £10.2m to the local economy on average each year.
Sir Roger Marsh, chair of The Piece Hall’s Board of Trustees, added: “Back in 2012, a brave and visionary decision was made by Calderdale Council to transform, restore, and rescue The Piece Hall, and to create The Piece Hall Trust to run it.
“It’s good to see, ahead of Calderdale’s Year of Culture in 2024, that the Council continues to recognise the hugely positive cultural and economic impact The Piece Hall brings to the area.
“We want to build on that success over the coming years, and we value the investment the local authority continues to make in the world’s only remaining Georgian cloth hall.
“The decision also recognises that the Trust is best placed, with our local, regional, national and international partners, to continue to develop a world-class series of events and activities, well into a new decade.”
