Call to get arts centre back open

A COUNCIL is being urged to use its influence to help get an important arts centre back into use for the people of Calderdale.

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

Square Chapel Arts Centre, in Halifax town centre, closed suddenly in February with all scheduled performances cancelled, following which Arts Council England pulled its funding for the theatre.

Square Chapel was taken over by Arts At The Mill CIC - the umbrella for Wigan organisations The Old Courts, Wigan Pier and The Royal Court Theatre - in 2020.

Campaigners 'Save Square Chapel for the People' lobbied councillors on their way into a meeting of the full Calderdale Council urging them to engage in 'dialogue and action' to get it open.

Almost 2,700 have signed a petition organised by the group to save the centre as a community asset.

The group raised concerns about the centre being used through summer months as a 'green room' for artists playing the high profile concerts at neighbouring Piece Hall, which were taken up in the meeting by Coun Martin Hey (Green, Northowram and Shelf).