Piece Hall announces major events for late May bank holiday weekend

The Trust has announced plans for a Spring Makers Market at the end of May .

The late May Bank Holiday weekend will bring together a selection of the best local independent craft stalls, artisan makers and food and drink traders, across forty unique stalls.

On offer will be everything from cheese and sweets to prints and jewellery, besides an array of pop-up street food, tasty tipples, live music and entertainment.

A full list of traders who will be attending is being put together.

The Trust's Chief Executive Nicky Chance-Thompson, said: “Whilst the past year has been hugely challenging for the tourism, retail, culture and heritage sectors, there is now cause for significant optimism.

“We look forward to continuing to support our thriving tenant community of independent traders as well as the wider town and Borough.

“We have a proven track record of contributing significantly to the local economy through our heritage offer and year-round programs of activities.

“Importantly, we hope to bring some much-needed joy back to people’s lives and help them to recover from the effects of the pandemic,” she said.

Another event planned for the late May bank holiday is an outside performance by Ellie Sax and friends.

Having toured the world with her saxophone performing at some of the world’s most exclusive events, festivals and nightclubs, Ellie Sax & Friends will perform live at The Piece Hall on 30 and 31 May for an incredible lockdown lifting performance.

All money raised from the event will go to Andy’s Man Club – a national charity who provide a network of free drop-in talking groups aimed at helping men open up about their mental health problems.

Both shows sold out in matter of minutes.

Research has shown the Piece Hall bringing £5 back into the Calderdale economy for every £1 invested in it.

In 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, tourism was worth £400 million to Calderdale’s economy, with visitors attracted to the Grade I listed former cloth hall, and boosted by television drama successes including Sally Wainwright’s Gentleman Jack, screened by the BBC and a success in the U.S. when shown by partners HBO.

Calderdale Council recognises tourism as a very important part of the borough’s economic make-up and one on which it should capitalise further as recovery from the pandemic gets under way.