new year

The hall in Halifax has been a stunning events venue since 1779 and remains the only 18th-century northern cloth hall of its kind, now hosting music concerts, independent shops and restaurants

Nestled in the centre of Halifax in West Yorkshire sits an architectural gem that now serves as a premier events destination for the region.

Since 1779, The Piece Hall has been an integral part of the town, functioning as an expansive open-air courtyard that’s currently encircled by a vibrant town centre brimming with shops, bars and restaurants.

Originally designed to accommodate large exhibitions, this magnificent space has evolved into a breathtaking venue hosting an extensive array of events.

One recent visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Great trip, lovely environment and good shops! The Piece hall is an absolutely brilliant tourist attraction and has done wonders for Halifax!”.

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History

The Piece Hall ceremoniously welcomed its first visitors on New Year’s Day in 1779, operating as a public marketplace for trading woven cloth and fabric.

The construction costs totalled just over £9,000 at the time, equivalent to approximately half a million pounds in today’s money.

It represented a masterpiece of architectural undertaking for its era and stands as the sole surviving example of 18th-century northern cloth halls.

This landmark building held a pivotal position in the textiles industry, contributing significantly not only to Yorkshire’s economy but to the nation’s prosperity for generations.

The opening is believed to have featured an elaborate grand ceremony, complete with a musical procession and spectacular fireworks display. Trading commenced the very next day, with business conducted every Saturday for merely two hours weekly.

Events

The Piece Hall has established itself as a vibrant entertainment destination, serving as Yorkshire’s premier venue for live music, theatrical productions and cultural exhibitions.

Its stunning and spacious courtyard provides an ideal setting for broadcast productions, including hosting the BBC’s beloved Antiques Roadshow.

The venue has welcomed circus acts, dramatic performances and musical concerts, whilst also functioning as an open-air cinema location. Most music events operate on a standing basis to maximise the area’s capacity, with minimal seating available.

The Piece Hall’s forthcoming calendar features Madness performing across two consecutive evenings from June 11, alongside a Paul Weller performance during that same week.

Renowned British acts including the Kooks and McFly are scheduled to perform at the historic location later this year.

One guest urged visitors to “not miss this Yorkshire jewel”, describing it as a “total delight” that’s “soaked in historic interest”, whilst praising the on-site retail offerings as making it “so worth a visit”.

Refurbishment

After a comprehensive refurbishment programme costing approximately £19 million, the Piece Hall celebrated its spectacular reopening during summer 2017.

To facilitate such substantial renovations, the location remained shuttered for three and a half years, commencing in January 2014.

The restoration works included re-levelling the central courtyard, transforming it into a vast 66,000-square-foot piazza capable of hosting events for up to 7,500 people.

Additionally, the project saw the careful restoration of the original stonework, preserving its historical integrity.

However, the most significant aspect of the restoration was the creation of spaces within the arcades to accommodate independent shops, cafés and bars.

The site also gained a new extension on its eastern side, which now contains a learning centre where visitors can discover the heritage of the location and its role in Yorkshire’s industrial development.

Shops

Behind the stone walls of the Piece Hall sits an array of independent retailers offering everything from handicrafts to books, clothing, homeware and beyond. Among its most popular shops are Loafers, a local record shop, The Book Corner, Antiques by Rachel and Waterfall Games store.

Following a day of browsing, one visitor claimed: “Amazing architecture, historically fascinating lots of small shops, bars and restaurants. The town is small but has enough charm to keep you entertained. The local indoor market has great food and atmospheric designs. Definitely worth a visit!”.

MELBOURNE — Elena Rybakina finally won her second Grand Slam title with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday, and it was something of a testament to quiet achievers.

After some tumult at the start of 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina finished off last year with a title at the WTA Finals in November. And now she has started the new year with a major championship.

Her low-key celebration was symbolic of her understated run through the tournament: a small fist pump, a quick embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, a smile, and a few hand claps on the strings of her racket and a wave to acknowledge the crowd.

It happened quickly after Rybakina closed with an ace to cap a third-set comeback and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over a regular rival who beat her in the final here in 2023.

“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe [my] face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” the 26-year-old Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and clinical finish.

She knew she had to capitalize quickly this time, after she acknowledged getting tight and needing almost a half-hour from her first match point to her match-winning point in a semifinal win over Jessica Pegula.

Elena Rybakina plays a backhand return during the women’s singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday.

(Dita Alangkara / Associated Press)

Three years ago, Rybakina won the first set of the Australian Open final but lost the match in three.

This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games to regain control.

“It gives me a kind of relief,” she said, “also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season.”

It was a second major title for fifth-seeded Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and entered that Australian final three years ago as the only major winner in the contest.

While Sabalenka went on to win another three majors, including back-to-back triumphs in Australia and the 2024 and ’25 victories at the U.S. Open, Rybakina’s results dipped and she didn’t reach another major final until this tournament.

Career change

A win over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals has changed her career trajectory. She has the most match wins on tour since Wimbledon, and is now on a roll of 20 wins in 21 matches.

“Last year I didn’t start so well,” she said. “I qualified for the [WTA] Finals late. I just hope I can carry this momentum. Do a good job with the team and continue this way.”

Rybakina is 10-0 in her last 10 matches against top-10 players, and she’ll return to No. 3 in the rankings.

Kazakhstan’s flag was unfurled on the court at Rod Laver Arena after Rybakina had paraded the trophy around and posed for photos with her team.

Coaching team

She paid tribute to her coach, Stefano Vukov, who spent time under suspension last year by the women’s tour. Vukov received a silver plate from the tournament organizers for being the champion’s coach.

“Of course I would like to thank my team,” she said. “Without you it wouldn’t have been possible. Really. We had a lot of things going on [last year]. Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep on going strong this year.

“It’s a win for all the team, all the people who support me,” she said. “I just hope that I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving.”

She said she’d been working with Vukov since 2019 and she finds it helpful to hear the constant stream of technical and tactical advice he conveys from his seat beside the court. The more, the better, she said, because eventually she listens.

“We won many titles together,” Rybakina said. “And even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work.”

Win some, lose some

Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning a point against Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday.

(Dita Alangkara / Associated Press)

For Sabalenka, it’s back-to-back losses in the final in Australia after going down in an upset last year to Madison Keys.

“Of course, I have regrets. When you lead 3-love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break — it was very fast,” she said. “Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me.

“But as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner this season than a loser. Hoping right now and praying.”

Rybakina went on the attack from the start and her serve was strong, with six aces and — apart from the two breaks at the end of the second set and the start of the third — she fended off six of the breakpoint chances she faced.

While Sabalenka’s emotions intensified, Rybakina maintained a determined quietness throughout.

In the end, she let her tennis do the talking.