Huddersfield Daily Examiner

‘Use time wisely to plan for the future’

- Local Democracy Reporter @LDR_JohnG

TOURISM chiefs aim to keep Yorkshire’s attraction­s on the map during the coronaviru­s crisis.

The chief executive of Halifax’s Piece Hall Trust, Nicky ChanceThom­pson, said the pandemic had been devastatin­g for the tourism industry – and those who rely on it for their livelihood.

However, she praised Welcome To Yorkshire’s work so far in keeping the flag flying and said the enforced time-out should be used to plan how to fight back after restrictio­ns are lifted.

In the case of the 18th century Grade I-listed Piece Hall, that means helping its tenants during the crisis and ensuring the attraction, which has brought millions of visitors to Calderdale since the landmark reopened after refurbishm­ent in 2017, was in a position to boost the borough’s economy when the coronaviru­s pandemic is over.

Raising morale was also important, with Welcome To Yorkshire’s ‘World Cup of Iconic Buildings’ proving highly popular. It was won by the Piece Hall.

Ms Chance-Thompson said: “We are going to lose visitors and income and it is devastatin­g for a lot of us.

“It is bad for everybody but gives us all the opportunit­y to pause, reset and think about priorities for a while, and work collaborat­ively to understand what it is we want people to come back to.

“That’s why I am keen to keep the Piece Hall alive in people’s minds and in their hearts.”

Promoting a virtual Piece Hall over the coming weeks and possibly months is one way the trust aims to support its tenants and maintain its profile.

“We’re trying to recreate the Piece Hall virtually and remind people of the great things we have done here,” said Ms Chance-Thompson.

The Piece Hall had lined up some exciting concerts this summer which have had to be re-scheduled.

The Manic Street Preachers, The Specials, Richard Hawley, Shed

Seven and The Kaiser Chiefs were all set to rock the historic venue.

“What I want is to be able to resuscitat­e the Piece Hall quickly. We see it as a lifeline to Halifax once it’s over,” said Ms Chance-Thompson.

“My intention is to keep it going in slumber then kickstart the economy of Calderdale really quickly.”

It had been a very difficult decision to close the Piece Hall gates but although people had been moving around the Piece Hall safely, there was the fear it would attract people to break the lockdown regulation­s.

 ??  ?? Crowds attend the BBC Antiques Roadshow at Halifax Piece Hall
SIMON MORLEY
Crowds attend the BBC Antiques Roadshow at Halifax Piece Hall SIMON MORLEY

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