Piece Hall, Halifax

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. The Halifax Manufacturers’ Hall was opened on Jan 2, 1779 for the use of the textile manufacturers of the district. It has been declared that as a building ‘there is nothing like it in England’. The square amphitheatre, occupying 10,000 square yards, has two galleries and there are 315 small rooms. These were rented as offices and warehouses by the cloth merchants. The central area was the general market for hand loom weavers, combers, etc for miles around. In 1868 the Corporation took over the Piece Hall and since 1871 it has been used as a wholesale market. The famous Jubilee gatherings were held there from 1831 to 1890 – 13 occasions – and then abandoned owing to the increasing difficulties that arose through the changed conditions. From the Sunday schools in Halifax and district teachers and scholars assembled in thousands. The gathering numbered 14,331 in 1831 and grew to 29,897 in 1890. In addition, the balconies were crowded with spectators, Beacon Hill and neighbouring slopes held their countless spectators and points of vantage everywhere were occupied. PH/28.