Officials have talks with retailers

CALDERDALE Council officials have met retailers in Halifax’s historic Piece Hall to discuss ways of supporting them when a multi-million pound regeneration scheme starts in 2012.

The council has been working closely with the project design team to discover whether it may be possible to carry out the construction work in phases so other parts of the building can remain open.

The council’s director of safer and stronger communities, Robin Tuddenham, said: “Clearly work of this scale cannot be undertaken without significant disruption. However, this morning we gave retailers a commitment that the council would do all it reasonably could to mitigate the effect of the development work on their business.”

He added: “This scheme provides us with the prospect of a thriving future for Piece Hall, which realises its potential as a landmark visitor attraction for the area.”

The council expects to have further talks with existing businesses about part of the building remaining open during work.

Work could start on the site in September 2012, leading to completion of the project by 2014.