Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

Totally Locally

David Cameron backs bid to transform the Piece Hall

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 14 December 2009
By Brian Coates
EFFORTS for a multi-million pound bid to transform the Piece Hall has won the backing of Tory leader David Cameron.
The Heritage Lottery Fund is considering a £7 million bid which, if successful, would release a further similar amount from other sources to transform the historic building into a major attraction.

Mr Cameron, speaking during a visit to Calderdale Royal Hospital, said it was an exciting project and he knew Calderdale Council was working hard to make it happen.

"It seems a very strong contender," he said.

Mr Cameron said he was keen for lottery funding to focus on what was its four key areas – sports, arts, charities and heritage.

He said that would make more money available for projects such as the Piece Hall.

The plans include creating an Italian-style piazza with upmarket shops and a huge amphitheatre at the 220-year-old Grade I-listed former cloth hall.

A large multi-purpose performance area with a movable stage would enable it to be used regularly for major events.

Restaurants, bars and bistros would ring the ground floor, with workshops and exhibition space for artists and creative businesses on the upper floors. The Courier is also campaigning for a successful bid.
"I wish the project well and note how many people are supporting it," said Mr Cameron.

Mr Cameron also talked about the future of Lloyds Banking Group in the town.

The Tory leader said he wanted to see it have a long future.

"We have to get the banking industry back to health so the Govern-ment can scale down its stakes and have banks thriving in the private sector," he said.

"Financial services is about jobs in Halifax, Leeds, and not just London.

"Halifax is a strong brand name and I would want to do everything I can to give it a strong future. It is in a very strong position in financial services."

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 December 2009 11:03 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Halifax
 
Prev
1
2 3
Next
Last
1

notarock,

14/12/2009 11:25:06
Again, why o why do we want to close the piece hall for two years?! The local business' who have put everything into this building will see their efforts simply pushed aside as we turn our back on local heritage (oldest standing cloth market in Europe) and turn it into a piazza / plaza / rubbish!
2

Roadrunner,

14/12/2009 11:26:43
See how interested the tories are in The North once they get in power. All of a sudden, all of the these sorts of grants will go to stately homes in the south east. Like Eton educated Cameron gives two hoots about Calderdale! Don't make me laugh.
3

PosterMeerkat,

14/12/2009 11:37:20
#3 must you keep the class war going? I thought all that rot went out with Clause 4. Would you prefer your politicians to be old Etonians or old Borstal boys?
4

notarock,

14/12/2009 11:38:59
I wonder if Mr Cameron had been paying attention to how much of a hash Calderdale Council had been making of EVERYTHING recently, would he still be so eagre to put his name on their most recently re-publised waste of tax payer cash
5

Roadrunner,

14/12/2009 12:00:30
#4 - You're quite right, that stuff should be history. However, take Boris Johnsons sniffy attitude about Liverpool, and we have something of an insight into the tories views on The North. If you have a different opinion, that's fine. However, once they've been in power a year or two I'd ask you to think again about what I said.
And are Old Etonians or Borstal boys seriously the only choice??? Possibly not in truth.
6

Adrian Dawson,

Halifax 14/12/2009 12:05:15
Has anybody thought of re-structuring the bottom of Pellon Lane (i.e. Cow Green)? Or are new "restaurants, bars and bistros"; "italian-style piazza"s and/or ones moved from somewhere else in town more importatnt? Oh yes, of course, the generation of commerce is much more important than the safe crossing of the road from St. James Road to the town centre, it's only logical and safety conscious.
7

Rob Reynolds,

14/12/2009 12:38:37
Roadrunner,

I, too, have no confidence in toffs running the country. But I'll tell you this, I'd rather have them than this bunch of Labour half wit incompetents.
8

halifax avenger,

14/12/2009 13:59:42
I bet David Cameron is not very pleased about the way his local party have been running Calderdale.
And it is ludicrous to close the Piece Hall for up to two years - the businesses there at the moment will have long since folded when it finally reopens.
9

,

14/12/2009 14:39:40
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
10

,

14/12/2009 16:20:06
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
Prev
1
2 3
Next
Last

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.