Are You Missing A Picture Perfect Plaza?
Is it missing a few palm trees perhaps? Piece Hall, Halifax!
During a good ten weeks of the UK lockdown, the weather was more than favourable. Lazy sunny days and long evenings were actually the saving grace of an otherwise challenging time. As lockdown eased, it seemed that every person in the UK headed for the beach….worryingly so, in some places.
However, life is not always beachy and the clouds can roll in whether you’re in Majorca or Margate. And that’s often the time to fit in a little retail therapy, followed by a well earned tipple.
If you were in Palma you might head to the Plaza Mayor, complete with palm trees, pinchos and an array of quirky craft stalls. Yet despite an increase in independent UK retailers, high streets across the UK do tend to be a little “samey”! Yet as with every rule there is always some exception and Piece Hall Halifax, could be the very antidote to homogenous high streets.
Mother and Child, Blogger’s Own ! xx
Interesting fact, built in the 18th century, Piece Hall actually predates many European squares including Palma’s Plaza Mayor. The site was originally built for trading cloth and the square has a dedicated information area for history buffs wanting to get the full low down, so I don’t need to bore you too much…
(Please note that Piece Hall is currently re-opening after the COVID 19 Lockdown. Check the website for full details)
Drop in for a shop…..
As you walk into the expansive square, you cannot fail to be impressed and perhaps a little dwarfed by the size and scale. The architecture is imposing and the notion that an independent retailer can be found under each beautiful archway, which stretches from the ground floor and over two levels, is very exciting.
Leon K Dewhurst (Jeweller)
Ernest Jones, Warren James…..Beaverbrooks. Whether you are spending £50 or £5000 you know pretty much what to expect. A brightly lit shop with a vast array of jewellery in glass display cabinets. It is all very much of a muchness, boring…but most of all, lacking soul. Modern consumers expect more.
We want an experience when we make our purchases. Purchasing personalised jewellery should be more than an engraved initial added to a bangle created on a production line. We might want to know about the materials or be part of the design process, a vibe which Leon Dewhurst knows all to well.
Leon’s shop is not shiny, featuring dazzling lights and bored assistants. It’s an authentic workshop, full with hammers and workbenches, a space to create.
The last time I visited Piece Hall was a few days prior to lockdown. And with the importance of hand washing at the forefront of my mind, a few indulgent purchases from the soap shop seemed the only reasonable thing to do.
Soaps looking good enough to eat.
The shop is a real treat for the senses and you may need to remind yourself that this is soap, not cake! And all this against a backdrop of show tunes ….I really could have stayed for hours.
Although none of us have recently had the pleasure of getting dressed to impress for the party of the year, we are really keeping everything crossed that the need for red carpet style glamour will be needed in the not too distant future.
And if you are approaching your choice of attire seriously, you will want to ensure that you don’t turn up in the same dress as somebody else! Oh the shame…
Eden Keisha based at Piece Hall, creates bespoke one-off items to ensure you are always rocking your individual style. Take a look at her previous creations here. Eden Keisha!
Eden Keisha Bespoke Dress Design
The Square
The square itself naturally lends itself to pavement cafes, music events and food festivals. All of which were happening, pre-covid. Whilst eateries and bars are reopening, there needs to be some restrictions in line with government rules. However live music events are planned into 2021 when hopefully we can return to the “old normal”!
Events:
Manic Street Preachers 27th June 2021 - Tickets On Sale
Kaiser Chiefs 3rd July 2021 - Tickets On Sale
Combine your shopping trip with a visit to Holmfirth Vineyard, Shibden Hall ( made famous in Gentleman Jack) and stay at The Bells Leeds.
Piece Hall Christmas Vibe - Boy Bloggers Own