Piece Hall Halifax

A Victorian Gentleman's Guide to the Magnificent Piece Hall

Harry Facks visiting old buildings

adjusts top hat
Good day! Harry Facks here - your Victorian guide is back at the Piece Hall!
Welcome to our Piece Hall page - newly refreshed as part of the new HalifaxPeople.com. My wife Ally, daughter Haley, son Alfie and I will be your guides around these 315 rooms once more, just as we were on that freezing New Year's Day in 1779 when it first opened. Every fact here is still verified by Col Deedale and Ian Garland at the Archives - the Facks family promise!
Read on for the full history below...

Allow me, Harry Facks, to share with you the magnificent story of our beloved Piece Hall - a tale I've had the privilege of witnessing through my Victorian eyes.

The Grand Beginning Oh, what excitement there was in 1774 when the first whispers of a new Piece Hall began! I remember the heated debates over its location - Talbot Croft or Cross Field? Talbot Croft won the day, purchased in September 1774, and what a splendid choice it proved to be!

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The Architect's Vision While some mystery surrounds the identity of our architect (though between you and me, dear friends, most fingers point to the talented Thomas Bradley), the vision was crystal clear - to create something truly magnificent. And magnificent it is!

Why Grade I Listed, You Ask?

Let me tell you why this architectural marvel holds such distinction:

1. Rarity: My dear friends, this 1775-9 creation is one of the last surviving purpose-built cloth halls of its kind. Rather special, wouldn't you say?
2. The Architecture: adjusting my top hat with pride The dramatic design - oh, the classical gallery arcades overlooking our courtyard! The craftsmanship, the finest materials... Bradley (or whoever our mysterious architect was) certainly knew his trade!
3. The Clever Layout: Now, this is something rather ingenious - a secure courtyard plan with individual rooms for traders. Quite the innovation for confidential transactions! Though some rooms have been combined since my day, the external appearance remains as striking as ever.
4. Our Heritage: tapping my walking stick for emphasis The sheer scale and grandeur of this building speaks volumes about Halifax's prosperity. Our local woollen and worsted industries were the talk of the country!

A Personal Note

I witnessed the transformation in 1868 when our Corporation acquired the hall. Rather dramatic changes they were - new gates from Glasgow's Sun Foundry (£120 - quite the sum in those days!), and various modifications to suit the new market hall purpose.

The Modern Era adjusting my pocket watch. While times have changed, our Piece Hall stands proud. The recent restorations have been most sympathetically done, I must say. The courtyard, now beautifully landscaped, still echoes with the footsteps of countless cloth merchants who once traded here.

Continue through the following photos which tell their own tales of the Halls past

Modern Marvels While maintaining its Georgian splendor, I must say the recent renovations have rather impressed even this old Victorian gentleman...

Read more

Royal visit

Celebrations at the Piece Hall, Halifax, in 1863 for visit of Prince of Wales to open Halifax Town Hall.

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Entrance from North side

Entrance from Woolshops

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Entrance from Westgate(West side)

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Entrance from South side                                                 enhanced

Entrance from Horton Street                                               enhanced

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Piece Hall Market

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Home to various market trades

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The Big Sing

Home to market stalls

Home to public celebrations (The Big Sing)

Yours faithfully, Harry Facks & Family - your Victorian guides to Halifax. Found a memory of the Piece Hall to share? Send it to Gary at HalifaxPeople and Ally will make sure I read it with our evening tea.

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