The Piece Hall Trust has announced plans to offer an innovative Click & Collect shopping service for its tenants during national lockdown, which will allow the historic building’s vibrant tenant community to continue trading during the important traditional Christmas retail period.

The Piece Hall – the world’s last remaining Grade 1 Listed Georgian cloth hall, will shortly launch the innovative shopping solution to encourage people to buy local for their Christmas gifts. The new online offer will be available from Thursday via www.thepiecehall.co.uk/. Goods ordered online will be collected in a socially distanced and safe manner from a designated collection point within The Piece Hall courtyard.

To offer the service, the building will remain partly open from Thursday to Sunday between 10am and 2-pm. Customers will also be able to enjoy a stroll around the Courtyard during these opening times and The Piece Hall Deli, will serve takeaway non-alcoholic drinks and food. Sustainable food retail outlet ‘Just Gaia’ will also remain open to customers as an essential shop.

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit from our brilliant tenants as a response to our idea. We’ve worked closely with them, and our technology partners, to put in place a fast track solution to help keep The Piece Hall shopping experience ‘open’ and provide income for the shops that are based here. Christmas is a really important time for retailers, and we also wanted to be open in a safe way for the communities we serve. Customers can virtually browse their favourite shops and come to collect their shopping or simply use our space to relax and unwind in a safe, outdoor setting.”

The Piece Hall was originally opened to trade piece of cloth in 1779. The space has played a pivotal role in the success of Halifax, notably during the heights of the West Yorkshire Textile trade, and since significant refurbishment in 2017, has played a part in bringing vibrancy, growth and regeneration to Halifax and Calderdale, annually contributing millions to the local economy. 43 shops, eateries and bars currently reside within The Piece Hall, bringing an eclectic, award winning and celebrated range of options to visitors from all over the world.

The Piece Hall is also a popular event space, which has welcomed high-profile acts like Elbow since reopening in 2017, as well as playing host to international events like the Tour de Yorkshire and national institutions, such as The Antiques Roadshow. The Piece Hall has recently announced an impressive line-up of acts for 2021, including Nile Rodgers & Chic and The Doves.