The former pub turned music venue helping to revitalise Yorkshire town
Once loved as a Dewsbury pub, The Terrace was taken on as an independent music venue when it fell into decline in the post-Covid years.
Now, bringing some major names from Utah Saints to Snake Davies to this unlikely setting in Dewsbury, its renewed energy is reinvigorating the community.
It was known as the Glue Pot, then the Turks Head, and is now run by Beerhouses, thriving and busy and with a series of events and workshops and a platform for new performers.
Already, there's been names including Secret DJ, Dave Beer, K-Klass, Jeremy Healy, as well as Allister Whitehead and Greg Wilson to take the stage.
Sarah Barnes runs six independent pubs and venues in the district under Beerhouses, and says the secret to success is striking out, adding: "If you don't ask, you don't get."
She said: "There’s nowhere else offering the mix of well-known acts, grassroots music, promoter events, and the different mix of genres and events that we’re doing.
“Our approach has been to bring acts to Dewsbury that you wouldn’t usually see here,”she added.
“Dewsbury tends to get written off and there’s a perception among some that good things don’t happen here.
“We’re determined to change that.”
The pub dates back to the early 1900s, and has seen some transformations through time. As The Old Turk, it was a goth pub known for its live music.
Then it “became” the Perseverance Hotel in Bradford for a few days, as filming location for ITV drama The Long Shadow about the Yorkshire Ripper.
And in a series of name changes for parties, it's been the Dog & Hammer, the Dave Beerhouse - when Dave Beer played - and with another next month for Wellerspoons.
After the pub closed in Covid, refurbishment brought an outdoor terrace and a new name. And a change in focus as it opened up for private parties instead.
In time, that has only grown, working with a series of local promoters as well as musicians.
Now there are Sunday Socials, with live blues music on afternoons, and has seen a series of Kirklees Most Wanted events showcasing local grassroots talent with Saving Grace.
They also work closely with a collective called the Dewsbury Music Foundation (DMF), building opportunities for local talent.
Teams are also working with Creative Scene, securing funding from Youth Music for workshops aimed at people aged 18-25.
There are so many good things happening in Dewsbury, said Ms Barnes, from a newly-formed community interest company (CIC) to community initiatives and independent shops.
"One of our mottos is ‘we don’t roll over and die’," she added.
"Many have written Dewsbury off but we are determined to see regeneration in the town and we’ll keep doing what we can to improve the area and bring people back into the town centre.
"The venues and attractions that bring people to town centres are what keeps town alive."