Westgate Arcade, Halifax

 Westgate is one of the oldest streets in the centre of Halifax, originally built to provide access to the nearby Piece Hall on land owned by the vicarage of Halifax, it required an Act of Parliament to enable construction. The road provided access from Southgate to Market Street and then on towards the western gate of the Piece Hall. The area around Westgate was little used and under developed when a number of properties were acquired around the late 1990's and a plan was announced to develop the area in to a covered pedestrian zone including carrier street which connects the arcade with the nearby Borough Market. In 2006 this plan was completed and the mix of independent shops, leisure, bars that occupy the arcade have become a welcome addition to the Halifax scene.

These pictures were taken on the 27th May 2018 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. They can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked by clicking any image, link opens in another window.

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The Piece Hall, Halifax, December 2013.

The Piece Hall in Halifax is the last remaining cloth hall in the United Kingdom, built as a place for trading pieces of cloth the hall has seen many changes during it's long history, including a recent multi million pound refurbishment to turn the hall in to a modern multi purpose leisure and shopping destination. And to think in 1972 people on the local authority wanted to demolish the building. Below are a number of pictures i took with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet on December 1 2013. This was prior to the Piece Hall's transformation.

The North Gate, this and the South Gate were the original entrances
to the Hall, the West Gate being added in 1785 and the east Gate during the
hall's recent refurbishment.

The former cobbled courtyard, with the spire of Square Church visible.
The hall has offered a number of concerts since re-opening, the stage in it's 
pre refurbishment history offered token entertainment.

The Piece Hall was opened on the 1st January 1779 as a place for people to trade cloth they had produced. As the cloth industry became larger and more industrialised the hall saw a decline in traders and was purchased by the Halifax Corporation in 1868 with conversion to a wholesale market following soon after. This is how the remained until 1971 when the wholesale market was dispersed and demolition of the hall was considered. Over the following years the hall underwent a refurbishment and was reopened as a tourist destination on the 3rd July 1976 including shops, museum and an art gallery. There was also an open air market added during this era before once again declining visitor numbers had the now Calderdale Council considering the best way forward for the building. A plan was put together with funding from various sources to refurbish the hall and it closed to the public on the 16th January 2014 to undergo a 3 year long refurb. The hall was reopened on the 1st August 2017 (Yorkshire Day) and provides restaurants, bars, shops and live entertainment including music concerts and has been the starting point for the Tour de Yorkshire.

Granted Grade I listed status on the 3rd November 1954, the reasons given for this were as follows

Historic interest
Rarity. It is the only remaining cloth hall in Yorkshire
Architectural interest
Architectural layout.

The hall is overlooked by Beacon Hill and the Square Church spire, which is all that remains of the church damaged by fire and partially demolished in the 1970's. The spire now forms part of the recently opened Halifax Central Library.

The hall also has a couple of supernatural stories linked with it, don't all old buildings. One of the units in the south west corner of the hall is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl known as Amy. The TV show Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns also broadcast from the hall in March 2006. In a segment of the show broadcast from the cellars at the hall, he claimed to have made contact with spirits known as Mary and another one known as Joseph. Another story from the hall is of the Hand Prints. Many local legends spring from these, at the westgate entrance to the hall are a pair of hand prints on the wall, sadly although still visible not as much as they once were. A couple of the more popular theories are that a local with was responsible for the prints, or the more well known story is that they were put there by a murderer as he was making his escape.

I took the above from my previous post about the hall dated October 19 2019, below are more pictured from December 2013.

The halls balcony areas featured a number of shops in 2013, today
there are still a number shops, eateries and bars surrounding the
courtyard. This was the western area of the hall.

Looking across the then cobbled courtyard towards the south
western corner.

The west gate entrance to the hall, this was added in 1785.

The south eastern corner of the hall, the South Gate seen in the
middle of the picture, this is often used as the halls main access
point, the bridge raises up to allow larger vehicle entry.

The balcony area that surrounds the courtyard, this was taken from the
south eastern corner looking west. 

Artwork in one of the halls corner stairwells.

The north western corner of the Piece Hall.

Looking north east across the cobbled courtyard. The north gate
was once considered the halls main entrance, this was changed
in 1785 when the west gate opened.

The halls north gate seen across the courtyard.

The Piece Hall's South Gate, the hall and area around the gate was
recently filmed as part of a Marvel's Secret Invasion production, doubling as an
Eastern European Country

One of the halls corner stairwells.

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The Woolshops: A Glimpse into Halifax's Retail Heart

Halifax, West Yorkshire – a town steeped in history, boasts a vibrant town centre that blends the old with the new. At its very core lies The Woolshops, a shopping precinct that, like many others across the UK, tells a fascinating story of evolution, adaptation, and the ongoing challenges faced by high streets today.

More Than Just a Name: A Nod to History

The name "Woolshops" isn't just a catchy moniker; it's a direct homage to the town's rich heritage. Standing proudly to the north-west of the precinct is a magnificent Grade II listed timber building, dating all the way back to 1670. This architectural gem, a tangible link to Halifax's past as a bustling centre for the wool trade, gives the modern shopping centre its distinctive identity. It's a constant reminder that while retail trends may shift, the roots of commerce in this town run deep.

From Arndale Ambitions to Woolshops Reality: A Pivotal Shift

The Woolshops we know today almost never came to be. In the mid-1970s, ambitious plans were afoot for an "Arndale Centre" development in Halifax. This large-scale project, characteristic of its era, would have seen the demolition of numerous historic properties, including the very Tudor house that now lends its name to the Woolshops.

However, fate intervened. By 1979, the Arndale dream dissolved as key anchor tenants withdrew their support. This pivotal moment opened the door for an alternative vision, one that ultimately led to the creation of The Woolshops. It's a testament to how local circumstances and the decisions of major players can dramatically reshape a town's landscape.

Phases of Growth: Adapting and Expanding

The construction of The Woolshops unfolded in phases. Phase 1, completed in 1983, laid the groundwork for the modern shopping experience. Later, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Phase 2 saw significant expansion. This included the addition of new shops directly opposite the perennial high street favourite, Marks and Spencer, and extending towards the north gate of the iconic Piece Hall, on what was once a car park. These expansions illustrate the continuous effort to revitalise and grow the retail offering within Halifax town centre.

A Quiet Sunday Morning: Reflecting on Retail's Plight

The accompanying photographs, captured on an early Sunday morning in May 2018 with a Nikon d3300, offer a poignant snapshot of The Woolshops. The emptiness depicted in these images serves as a stark visual metaphor for the struggles faced by town centres across the UK.

The reasons for this reduced footfall are multifaceted and complex:

• Restrictive Parking: The cost and availability of parking often deter shoppers who might otherwise prefer the convenience of town centre visits.

• Higher Pricing: The perception, and sometimes reality, of higher prices in brick-and-mortar stores compared to online retailers can steer consumers towards digital alternatives.

• The Shadow of COVID-19: While these photos pre-date the pandemic, the devastating impact of COVID-19 on retail footfall cannot be overstated. Lockdowns, social distancing measures, and a shift in consumer habits profoundly accelerated the challenges already facing high streets.

Looking Ahead: The Future of The Woolshops and Beyond

The Woolshops, with its blend of historical roots and modern retail spaces, embodies the ongoing narrative of British high streets. It's a place where history resonates, but where the present day demands adaptation and innovation. As we navigate the evolving retail landscape, understanding the factors that contribute to both its vibrancy and its quiet moments becomes crucial for shaping the future of our town centres. The story of The Woolshops is, in many ways, the story of our high streets – resilient, evolving, and always a reflection of the communities they serve.

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The centre is named after the building to the left of the picture housing Coffee Cali, the building known as the Woolshops is thought to be amongst the oldest still remaining in Halifax Town Centre. The steps now feature a statue dedicated to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

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