New £3m youth centre will be key part of cultural quarter

the first major step in the regeneration of Halifax has started with building work beginning on Orangebox, a youth centre in the town’s heart.

Existing buildings in Thomas Street will be refurbished and an extension built to house a performance space, a recording studio, an IT suite and enterprise start-up units.

The £3.8m centre will also offer help and advice on health, housing, dealing with the effects of violence, crime prevention and careers and is due to be completed later this year.

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David McQuillan, development manager from Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, lead partners on the project, said: “I am delighted that, after three years of hard work, the Orangebox is now starting on site.

“Seeing the bricks laid and walls built over this next 12 month period will be evidence of not only the physical foundations laid, but also of the commitment given by the partnership, by Square Chapel and by the hundreds of young people involved.”

In putting the plans together, more than 1,000 young people were consulted.

An Orangebox Youth Board has been appointed and will remain key to the project’s development.

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Calderdale Council insists The Orangebox will not just be yet another youth centre.

Cabinet Member, Coun Pauline Nash, said: “This is a brave and innovative project, which has involved young people from the very start.

“The Orangebox will be another piece in the jigsaw which will result in a wonderful cultural quarter for Halifax, complementing the Piece Hall, and Square Chapel.”

This also marks the first major step in regenerating the historic Piece Hall quarter.

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The council is bidding to the Heritage Lottery Fund in March to secure a grant of £6.7m to:

Repair and restore the fabric of the building, including major renovations to the stonework.

Develop the Courtyard to provide a new town square for Halifax and a flexible space to hold a programme of events.

Improve the fit out of the units so existing and new businesses can grow and thrive.

Open a heritage centre, so people can learn about the fascinating history of the Piece Hall said to be one of Yorkshire’s most important buildings.

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