Download this guide as docx

    Welcome

    The Piece Hall in Halifax is a unique Grade I listed building dating back to 1779, originally built to support the trading of ‘pieces’ of cloth and now reimagined as a new heritage and cultural destination.

    Home to one of the most striking piazzas in Europe, the stunning Georgian trading hall hosts independent shops, cafés, galleries, bars and heritage spaces. A year-round events programme attracts visitors from far and wide for concerts, street performance, spectacles, film screenings and much more.

    The Piece Hall is the only surviving intact cloth hall in the UK and an iconic symbol of the important role played by Georgian Halifax at the booming centre of the world’s woollen trade

    Hearing

    The fire alarm has flashing lights.
    Some staff have disability awareness training.

    General

    We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
    There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
    Some staff have disability awareness training.
    We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

    Getting here

    The Piece Hall
    Blackledge
    Halifax
    West Yorkshire
    HX1 1RE

    Travel by public transport

    You can get to The Piece Hall by bus and train.
    Halifax Bus Station is around 5 to 10 minutes walking distance from The Piece Hall. There are regular bus services from across West Yorkshire. The bus stop is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from The Piece Hall.
    The nearest train station is Halifax Train Station. The train station is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from The Piece Hall.

    The Piece Hall is located just five minutes walk from Halifax Railway Station, with direct links to Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford and Manchester stations. Grand Central Rail also operate a regular service between London and Bradford, calling at Halifax. To plan your rail journey visit National Rail Enquiries.

    You can get a taxi with Crossleys Taxis by calling 01422 250100. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
    You can get a taxi with Ziggys Metro Cars by calling 01422 344500.

    Parking

    There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

    The drop-off point is located on Blackledge by the South Gate entrance.

    There are a number of designated bays for Blue Badge holders in Halifax town centre and the nearest one to The Piece Hall is on Westgate.  

    Others are located on Alexandra Street, Commercial Street, Corporation Street, Gaol Lane, Northgate, Old Market, Rawson Street, Thomas Street, Wade Street.

    Drop off point on Blackledge Blackledge street view The road leading on to Blackledge West Gate Entrance The lift and stairs from the East Gate Entrance by the Library

    Arrival

    Path to main entrance

    From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
    The path is 1100mm wide, or more.
    The path is sloped.

    Main entrance

    The main entrance has level access.

    The main entrance is an open gateway, which leads directly on to the courtyard with level access. No lift or ramp is required. Please note that The Piece Hall is an historic building with uneven surfaces. 

    There are four entrances to The Piece Hall, The main entrance is the South Gate (off Blackledge, near Horton Street), The East Gate by the Central Library, The North Gate by the Woolshops and the West Gate leading on to Westgate and Westgate Arcade.

    The South Gate Entrance from Blackledge The South Gate Entrance Street level - East Gate Lift by Library Entrance through East Gate West Gate Entrance East Gate Lift

    Getting around inside

    Lift

    We have 4 lifts.
    You can get a lift to all floors.

    South East Lift

    The lift door is 900mm wide.
    The lift is 1070mm wide. The lift is 1500mm deep.
    The lift says the floor number at each floor.
    The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
    The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
    The lift is located in the South East Corner, by the Welcome Centre and Square Chapel. The lift gives access to the following floors: 2 : Colonnade Level 1 : Rustic Level 0 : Arcade Level-1: Square Chapel-2: Basement Toilets and Wheelchair Accessible ToiletPlease note that at basement level the entrance to the lift and accessible toilet is 860mm at its narrowest point.
    South East Lift Lobby - Arcade Level by Square Chapel South East Lift Lobby - Rustic Level South East Lift Lobby Colonnade Level South East lift lobby area - Basement level Toilets. South East Stairwell South East Lift Lobby - Arcade Level by Square Chapel

    West Gate Lift

    The lift door is 890mm wide.
    The lift is 1070mm wide. The lift is 1420mm deep.
    The lift says the floor number at each floor.
    The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
    The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
    The lift at the West Gate gives direct access on to Rustic Level (0), and also Colonnade Level (1).The Arcade Level (Courtyard area) can be reached by using the wheelchair accessible walkway.The exit via the West Gate leads on to a cobbled sloped surface.Please note that the door width to access the Colonnade lift Foyer is 760mm at its widest point.
    West Gate Rustic Level Lift West Gate Colonnade Level Lift

    North Gate

    The lift door is 900mm wide.
    The lift is 1380mm wide. The lift is 1120mm deep.
    The lift says the floor number at each floor.
    The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
    The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
    The lift is located by the North Gate (which leads out by the Woolshops shopping area)The lift gives access to all three levels0 - Arcade Level1 - Rustic Level2 - Colonnade LevelOn both the Rustic and Colonnade Level, the door width to access the lift foyer is 740mm at its widest point.Please note that there is a slight lip to the foyer entrance on the Colonnade level.
    North Gate Lift Lobby Arcade Level North Gate Lift Lobby Rustic Level North Gate Lift Lobby Rustic Level North Gate Lift Lobby Colonnade Level

    East Gate Lift

    The lift door is 1000mm wide.
    The lift is 1070mm wide. The lift is 2280mm deep.
    The lift says the floor number at each floor.
    The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
    The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
    The East Gate Lift gives access to The Piece Hall from Square Road. The lift entrance is by the Industrial Museum and gives access to Halifax Central Library and Archive.Floor 0 - Street LevelFloor 1 - Entrance to Library and The Piece Hall East Gate
    East Gate Lift street level East Gate lift area by Library East Gate Entrance

    Ticket/ information desk

    Welcome Centre

    From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1550mm wide, or more.
    The door is 1980mm wide, or more.

    The Welcome Centre Information and ticket desk is all at one accessible level. The staff are on hand to provide information and assistance to visitors.

    The Welcome Centre Desk Entrance to the Welcome Centre and Piece Hall Story

    Things to See and Do

    We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

    The Piece Hall Story

    From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1550mm wide, or more. The door is 1980mm wide.
    Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

    There are three Heritage Spaces at The Piece Hall. The Piece Hall Story is accessible via The Welcome Centre. The doors to the Welcome Centre are not automatic,  however a member of staff will be available for assistance if required.

    The Piece Hall Story - Located at Courtyard Level
    Our interactive heritage space ‘The Piece Hall Story’ welcomes you to discover this iconic building and its importance at the historic centre of the world’s woollen trade. You will be able to get up close to objects from our past – including the Halifax Gibbet blade (an early version of the guillotine that kept thieves and wrong-doers on their toes when in town) – explore exhibitions and even try on Georgian costume.

    The Map Room - Located on Colonnade Level (3rd Floor)
    The Map Room has interactive maps, showing how woollen cloth sold in Halifax was traded across the world. In addition, there is a young explorers’ map featuring items to discover around The Piece Hall.

    The Trader's Room - Located on Rustic Level (2nd Floor)
    In the Trader’s Room you will find one of the units in its original condition. Here you can experience the sights and sounds of what it would have been like to be standing inside The Piece Hall on a busy trading day back in 1779.

    Public toilet

    South East Corner Basement Ladies Toilets and Unisex Wheelchair Accessible Toilet

    There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
    From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
    From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 800mm wide, or more.
    The toilet door is 920mm wide.
    The direction of transfer is to the right.
    There is 880mm at the side of the toilet. There is 850mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilet has handrails.
    Basement toilet corridor by lift exit Basement Toilet Entrance to Basement Toilet

    Public toilet

    North West Corner Men's and Unisex Wheelchair Accessible Toilet

    There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
    From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 750mm wide, or more.
    The toilet door is 750mm wide.
    The direction of transfer is to the right.
    There is 950mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1370mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilet has handrails.
    North West Unisex Accessible Toilet North West Unisex Accessible Toilet Entrance to North West Unisex Accessible Toilet

    Public toilet

    East Side Arcade Level Toilets

    There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
    From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 950mm wide, or more.
    The toilet door is 950mm wide.
    The direction of transfer is to the left and right.
    There is 870mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1160mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilet has handrails.

    There are accessible toilets located on the Arcade Level between Gin Lane and Elder. There is a ladies and gents toilets. The direction of the toilet transfer is to the left in the ladies and to the right in the gents.

    Arcade Level Toilets Entrance to Arcade Level Toilets

    Shop

    The Piece Hall Gift Shop

    From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
    From the lift to the shop, the route is 780mm wide, or more. The door is 780mm wide.
    The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

    There are a number of shops and dining areas at The Piece Hall. Due to the nature of the size of the units, space for moving around in some units is limited. As each store is independent do contact the Welcome Centre or the individual shop for further details on accessibilty. 

    Place to eat and drink

    The Deli

    From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 780mm wide, or more. The door is 780mm wide.
    To get to a table, there are no steps.
    The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
    There is background music.
    The table and plates have high colour contrast.
    We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, lactose free (dairy free), nut free and low fat specific diets.

    There is a slight lip on the entrance of The Deli. Due to the nature of the size of the units, space is quite limited in places. 

    Getting around outside

    The Courtyard

    From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

    The Piece Hall has four entrances, The South Gate, The East Gate, The West Gate and the North Gate. Each entrance leads in to the main courtyard area, which is a wide open space.

    The Piece Hall is an oblong shape and is divided over three levels The Arcade Level (Courtyard area), The Rustic Level and Colonnade Level. There are lifts located by the West Gate and by the Welcome Centre in the South East corner. There is also the North Gate Lift, however please note that the manoeuvrability access in this lift is restricted. The lifts allow access to all levels. There is also ramped access in the Courtyard to go from the Courtyard area to the Rustic Level.  

    As The Piece Hall is an historic heritage site, the ground is uneven in places. Do take care when moving around.

    The Courtyard area The Courtyard The three levels The Courtyard The Colonnade Level The Courtyard The three levels The Courtyard

    Customer care support

    Accessibility equipment

    Throughout the year we host different events and performances. As each performance is different, do check the website for access information and contact our box office for further details. 

    For a list of more items, please go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/calderdaleandkirklees/.
    There are four exits in The Piece Hall, out of which are some grassed areas.
    You can hire mobility equipment from Age UK Wheelchair Hire by calling 01422 252 040.

    Emergency evacuation procedures

    We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.
    The fire alarm has flashing lights.

    The fire alarm will sound and lights on all levels will flash. Guests using a wheelchair are asked to make their way to the nearest stairwell on the level they are on, and make themselves known to a member of staff. Trained members of staff will assist the guest by evac-chair if an evacuation is deemed necessary. Guests on the courtyard level will be directed by members of staff.

    Customer care support

    Some staff have disability awareness training.

    Welcome Centre staff are available during office hours, with Duty Managers available in the courtyard during opening hours.

     

    Guide info
    Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.