Sowerby Bridge News

Calderdale Announces Piece Hall Market To Close

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet has agreed to close the Piece Hall outdoor markets. Recent years have seen a significant decline in the number of traders. Meeting last night, Cabinet decided that relocation packages should be offered to all existing traders and that the Council should continue to operate specialist one off markets.

The Markets Service needs to save £100,000 in 2011/12. Closure of the Piece Hall Market would save £32,000 a year towards that figure.

While Cabinet agreed that trading should cease towards the end of February, it is likely that the Saturday market will be cancelled immediately. Of the four remaining Saturday traders, three gave notice before Christmas that they would cease trading from the Piece Hall in the New Year.

Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Cllr Barry Collins, says: “There’s been a sharp decline in the number of market stalls and it’ s clear that we simply cannot afford to lose £32,000 every year on the Piece Hall Market in these difficult times.

“We have to balance the whole of the Markets Service budget and we need an approach that offers a viable approach to securing the future of markets across the whole of Calderdale.

“Over the years, the Council has done its best to support the Piece Hall market but, personally, I think its fate may well have been sealed in July 2006 when it was closed at short notice on health and safety grounds and some traders moved away.

“The Council responded to a public campaign and subsequently re-opened the market, providing significant support and investment. For example, current rental levels are the same as they were 20 years ago and we have offered discount packages for traders taking more than one stall.

“Sadly, despite this, we were never able to attract enough traders back to the site. This may be, in part, because Halifax has one of the best indoor markets in the country close by and that continues to thrive and be a magnet for shoppers.

“Although the open markets are closing in the Piece Hall, there are still some great shops in there. We have big plans for the Piece Hall in the future and remain committed to this architectural jewel.”