Smiles, sun and colour as Piece Hall opens its gates

THE ICONIC doors of the Piece Hall were opened once again to the public who were treated to a spectacle to life the spirits.

As the roadmap out of lockdown reached another milestone on Monday, the Grade I listed building basked in the sun as it welcomed back people to its shops, cafes and bars.

Visitors were treated to a fantastic day of entertainment with performances from singer Lizzie Jones MBE and poet Kieron Higgins.

In addition, stunning displays from lighting sculpture specialists ‘Lightopia’ flanked the expansive courtyard in the day and into the evening.

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, Chief Executive of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “We’re so pleased and relieved to have successfully reopened The Piece Hall after these long months of lockdown.

“There’s no doubt that the past 12 months has been a tremendous challenge for everyone, but particularly independent retail and hospitality traders, the very people who run their businesses from here.

“We thought long and hard about how we should appropriately mark our reopening and our plans were months in the making.

“We were treated to beautiful performances from Lizzie Jones MBE, Dixons Music Primary Choir and Keiron Higgins, all of which made for a highly emotional return – and a really important first step out of lockdown.

“The courtyard was busy from the time the gates first opened and our shops, bars and restaurants were welcoming visitors with smiles on their faces.

“Seeing the joy our building is once again bringing to people felt like a very important milestone.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Piece Hall ‘family’, all of whom have worked so hard to make sure our reopening went off without a hitch.

“With the generous support of national funders and visitors, The Piece Hall will continue to play an important role in helping the town, borough and this part of the north, not only recover from the pandemic, but thrive in the months ahead,” she added.

Seeing the joy our building is once again bringing to people felt like a very important milestone

Our shops, bars and restaurants were welcoming visitors with smiles on their faces.

IN MY VIEW: Nicky Chance Thompson column - see page 15

PHOTOS: SIMON HULME MUSIC: .Halifax singer Lizzie Jones performs as the Piece Hall reopens after Covid lockdown measures were eased on Monday as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ‘roadmap to recovery’ for the country.

WELCOME SIGHT: Nicky Chance-Thompson, the Chief Executive of the Piece Hall Trust, and James Mason, the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, at the reopening of the 18th century Halifax landmark

SHOPPING: Lou Harkness Hudson, owner Hudson Belle Gift shop, ready to welcome customers. Which Piece Hall business are you most looking forward to going back to? Email: yoursay@halifaxcourier.co.uk