Events on opening day

HERE’S what you can expect on Tuesday, August 1, from 9.30am. ■■Pop-up street food .

New independent shops, cafes and bars will open – among them women’s clothing shops Jitterbug Jean and House of 925; confectioners Spogs & Spice and The Chocolate Box; Gin Lane, a gin shop and tasting venue; gift shop Brown Paper Bag; food establishments The Deli, ice cream parlour Blondin’s. The Piece Hall Gallery and The Piece Hall Shop will offer a range of bespoke products featuring the work of some of Yorkshire’s finest artists and makers. ■■Free family activities including trails, crafts, giant weaving will be available and a heritage challenge and dressing up. ■■Actors will portray characters from The Piece Hall’s past. ■■A Victorian-style photographic display by Emma Mitchell who will be on hand to talk about her work. ■■An exhibition by local artist, Jake Attree, The Piece Hall’s artist-inresidence, who has documented the transformation project ■■Performances will be staged by local musicians and artists. THE finishing touches are being made to the Piece Hall in Halifax ahead of its grand re-opening.

It’s two weeks to go until the reopening of the Grade I listed Piece Hall on Yorkshire Day, Tuesday, August 1, after £19m worth of restoration.

Calderdale Council and the team at the Piece Hall gave us at the Examiner a sneak peek and unveiled more details about the opening and new Piece Hall tenants.

Leader of Calderdale Council, Clr Tim Swift, said: “The Piece Hall is a very special building – one of the real icons of Halifax and of Yorkshire.

“I’m delighted we’ve had the opportunity as a council to invest in the transformation which will help preserve this beautiful Grade I listed building for the enjoyment of future generations.

“Thanks to The Piece Hall Trust, the building has a sustainable future, with an exciting range of shops, cafes and bars and a cultural programme which will keep tempting people back.”

Nicky Chance Thompson, chief executive of The Piece Hall Trust, added: “Our Yorkshire Day event is all about giving the building back to the people after being closed for so long.

“There will be lots to do on the opening day with a free festival of events featuring local, regional and international artists kicking off in mid-August and running throughout the summer.”

And there’s a chance for you to get involved and ring the Piece Hall Bell.

A community champion can play an important part in the Yorkshire Day celebrations and ring the bell, echoing the first ever day of business in 1779 and heralding a new chapter for the magnificent Georgian structure.

Get your nominations in quick, entries close tomorrow.

Email competitions@thepiecehall.co.uk to nominate someone.