Halifax Courier

Future plan for ‘old town hall’

- Ian Hirst ian.hirst@jpimedia.co.uk @HxCourier

A NEW venture will look to bring an unused historic building in Sowerby Bridge back to life, as work gets underway on its transforma­tion.

The Grade II listed ‘old Town Hall’ building on Town Hall Street will be revitalise­d, after standing empty for several years following the closure of the bank that was previously located there.

The project is thanks to a partnershi­p between 22 The Square, Calderdale Council and Historic England

Work has started on the redevelopm­ent, following listed building consent to change its use. Visitors to Sowerby Bridge

will see scaffoldin­g currently in place as repairs to the roof begin.

Raj Panesar, owner of the ‘old Town Hall’ building and 22 The Square, which also has a restaurant in Northowram, said: “22 The Square are very excited about the new developmen­t in Sowerby Bridge. We fell in love with the building when we purchased it three years ago, with its amazing architectu­re, the beautiful spiral staircase and especially the clocktower.

“Our intentions are to develop a restaurant and bar that can be used by people throughout the Yorkshire region so they can also take in the heritage of what this building means to the people of Sowerby Bridge and the wonderful fresh food we will be providing.

The project will help to boost Sowerby Bridge high street as part of the Government’s £95 million High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, led by Historic England and designed to secure lasting improvemen­ts to historic high streets and breathing new life into them.

ONLINE: Read more on this at www.halifaxcou­rier.co.uk

 ?? ?? PROJECT: Raj Panesar inside the ‘old Town Hall’ building
PROJECT: Raj Panesar inside the ‘old Town Hall’ building
 ?? ?? SOWERBY BRIDGE: The Grade II listed building
SOWERBY BRIDGE: The Grade II listed building

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