£6.6m square deal turns Chapel into centre for culture

AN 18TH century building which has been loved by generations in Halifax, the town’s Square Chapel, has been restored at a cost of £6.6m.

The building in Square Road has been transformed into a spacious and modern Square Chapel Arts Centre, with multipurpose 220-seater auditorium, a cafe bar with access to the neighbouring Piece Hall complex and a state-of-the-art cinema and studio space.

The centre’s head of technical and production, Martin Clarke, said the development aimed to iron out the venue’s quirks while keeping a homely feel, becoming the vibrant centre for professional artists and the community envisaged by the founders three decades ago.

Productions and events have continued to be staged for most of the time work has been ongoing.

Centre director David McQuilliam said: “Fostering a sense of community and engaging audiences is what Square Chapel has been doing for nearly 30 years. Your arts centre is a place to come together for the best performances, food, films, conversations and drinks.”

Of the funding, £4.9m has come from Arts Council England, with Calderdale Council giving £265,000. Trust funders include the Monument Trust with £600,000 and Garfield Weston with £400,000 while Lloyds Banking Group put in £10,000, Harveys department store £5,000 and Timeform £2,000.

Other local businesses and individuals raised £100,000 between them to help bring the scheme to fruition.

PICTURES: SIMON HULME. BRIGHT IDEAS: Finishing touches are completed at the Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax.

CURTAIN UP: Top, the newly refurbished Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax; above, technical and production manager Martin Clarke looks down from the theatre’s grid.