Two more new businesses open their doors at The Piece Hall in Halifax ahead of the Grade I Listed building’s first festive season following an extensive and award-winning restoration. Independent specialist retailers Gin Lane which will have over 100 varieties of the botanical spirit to choose from and Joseph Chance, selling entirely UK made accessories and gifts for men, can be found on the Rustic level of the Georgian former cloth hall.
These two new shops bring the total occupancy of retail space to 67% spread across the building since it reopened on 1st August 2017. Nicky Chance-Thompson, Chief Executive of The Piece Hall Trust, commented: “These first few months have been incredible, winning awards, attracting famous faces and higher than expected visitor numbers. We are hugely excited about our first Christmas at The Piece Hall which we think shows off the spectacular events, independent retailers and the whole stunning setting at its absolute best. I’m really pleased to be able to welcome two more excellent businesses to our community of creative and passionate tenants in time to join them in making the most of the busiest time in the retail calendar and celebrate the season with us.”
The Gin Lane retail shop is a second business for Gavin Morton and Michael Astin, owners of the already popular bar of the same name on the lower Arcade level of The Piece Hall, spilling out into the piazza. “We are really pleased to be opening before Christmas, we know from our customers that they really enjoy the variety of gin’s we stock in the bar so now everyone will be able to take their favourite one home or introduce it to a friend by passing it on as a gift.”
The retail side of the business, a 294 sq ft space on the floor above the bar, will sell all of the local, traditional and limited edition gins, prosecco and coffee that can be enjoyed in the bar below and more. There will be over 100 varieties of gin to choose from as well as ‘secret Santa’ gift-sized miniatures and ‘gin’credible hampers for the true aficionado which include a bottle of gin, two glasses and tonic. Throughout December and January, every Saturday the shop will host gin tastings with representatives from different suppliers on hand to talk about their products and offer samples.
Returning to his roots in The Piece Hall is local councillor Marcus Thompson. “My father used to have a stall here when I was a kid so I’m probably one of the few people still around that used to actually sell cloth at The Piece Hall!” he stated.
Inspired by his father and named after his grandfather Joseph Chance, a speedway legend and entrepreneur, the shop will sell an exclusive collection of items for the most discerning of men. The 294 sq ft unit will stock an entirely British, personally selected selection of scarves, ties, cufflinks, leather goods, hip flasks and belts. Selected for their craftsmanship and often the only stockist in Halifax if not the north of England, many items have been made locally, including leather belts from Hebden Bridge, handprinted pocket squares and hand enameled cufflinks. In 2018 a new Joseph Chance fragrance will be launched, accompanied by a range of bath, body and shampoo products.
Marcus Thompson continued: “I recognise that men can be tricky to buy for and have spent a lot of time meeting the individual makers and businesses creating these items to ensure they are of a standard and quality befitting of this wonderful building.”
