Tribute to Calderdale businessman behind Halifax's nightlife

Mr Turczak’s family have owned businesses in Halifax since the end of the Second World War, starting with the Acapulco nightclub.

They went on to buy, develop and sell a number of pubs including The Hobbit, Norland, Flashmans, Ma Baker’s, the former Theatre Royal, the Imperial Crown Hotel and Ricci and Capone. Chris was a winner of the Courier Business Person of the Year.

He was appointed to undertake the multi-million pound task of renovating Grade 11 listed Somerset House in Rawson Street, Halifax, by Calderdale Council.

It had been left derelict for years before it was converted into apartments, offices, shops and an 80 seater cafe bar a and bistro, Le Metro, which opened in 2009.

Mr Turczak worked on a transformation of the upper floors of Somerset House into an apart-hotel, creating six two-bedroom apartments.

His funeral was held at St Mary’s Church on Gibbet Street followed by a service at Park Wood Crematorium.