Campaigners trying to ensure a much-loved arts centre is re-opened to the public are concerned its future is not assured if it ends up being sold on the open market.

The Save Square Chapel Campaign group is inviting Arts Council England representatives to its annual meeting later this month to answer questions about the impending sale of the Halifax town centre venue.

Square Chapel Arts Centre at Square Road closed suddenly in February last year, following which the major campaign to get it open again began and is ongoing.

In late spring His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a winding-up order on the owners of Square Chapel Arts Centre, Square Chapel CIC (Community Interest Company).

Save Square Chapel for the People campaigners lobby Calderdale councillors on their way into the meeting

placeholder image — Save Square Chapel for the People campaigners lobby Calderdale councillors on their way into the meeting

The order forces the company to close down and go into voluntary liquidation.

But last month Arts Council England, which has a charge on the building relating to a previous capital award given to the centre, said it was to be marketed.

The receiver appointed by Arts Council England (ACE) – Watling Real Estate – has said: “We are inviting offers at this time.”

There are also limits on what it can be used for.

ACE said it remained committed to try and return the building to cultural use for the communities of Halifax and will work with Watling and local stakeholders to help achieve this.

But Save Square Chapel Campaign says ACE has previously told the group that if an arts centre owner-operator cannot be found within nine months, the building will be sold on the open market.

“Clearly, the re-opening of Square Chapel as an arts centre is not assured at present.

“The Save Square Chapel Campaign aims ‘to secure the re-opening of Square Chapel as a financially sustainable, vibrant and inclusive centre for arts and culture, with good community links and outreach.’

“Such an arts centre will need adequate public investment to succeed and the campaign will press for pubic sector recognition of, and provision of, this.”

Save Square Chapel Campaign says the Halifax community must be meaningfully consulted about the proposals put forward by prospective operators and owners before ACE decides who to pass Square Chapel on to.

“The Square Chapel CIC disaster must not be allowed to recur.

“The current situation raises many questions campaign supporters will want answers to,” they said.

Accordingly an ACE representative will be invited to the group’s annual meeting, which is on Thursday, September 24, from 7pm at Calderdale Industrial Museum, which is at Square Road, near the chapel.

The Arts Council said last month that after seeking legal advice, and in order to protect its interest in the Square Chapel building, it appointed its own Receiver, with a view to returning the building to community cultural use.

That remains the aim, with, under its duties as a Receiver, Watling now proceeding to market the building.

“We remain committed to try and return the building to cultural use for the communities of Halifax and we will work with Watling and local stakeholders to help facilitate this.

“It is clear in the marketing material that the Arts Council is interested in working with prospective bidders who are looking to deliver continued cultural use of the building,” said a spokesperson.