Historic Halifax arts venue Square Chapel goes on the market after sudden closure
Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax town centre closed suddenly in February last year
A much-loved Halifax arts centre – subject of a sustained campaign to re-open it for the public again – is being marketed.
In terms of price, the receive appointed by Arts Council England – Watling Real Estate – says: “We are inviting offers at this time.”
There are also limits on what it can be used for.
Square Chapel Arts Centre at Square Road in Halifax town centre closed suddenly in February last year, following which a major campaign to get it open again began and is ongoing.
But in late spring His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a winding-up order on the owners of Square Chapel Arts Centre, Square Chapel CIC (Community Interest Company).
The order forces the company to close down and go into voluntary liquidation.
Arts Council England, which is marketing the building, is a creditor as it maintains an interest in the building, due to a legal charge relating to a previous capital award given to the centre.
The Arts Council has since been working alongside local partners to try and secure the Square Chapel building as a space for cultural and community purposes, it says.
After seeking legal advice and in order to protect its interest in the Square Chapel building it appointed its own Receiver, with a view to returning the building to community cultural use.
That remains the aim, said a spokesperson for Arts Council England.
“Following the winding-up order that was issued to Square Chapel CIC by the High Court in May 2026, we appointed Watling Real Estate, as our Receiver, to act in the interest of all the creditors and to protect the Square Chapel building.
“Under its duties as a Receiver, Watling is now proceeding to market the building.
“We remain committed to try and return the building to cultural use for the communities of Halifax and we will work with Watling and local stakeholders to help facilitate this.
“It is clear in the marketing material that the Arts Council is interested in working with prospective bidders who are looking to deliver continued cultural use of the building,” said the spokesperson.
Arts Council England said it encourages any parties proposing cultural use of the building to contact Watling directly as they are leading the process.
Watling’s brochure describes the 1,780.58 square metre building as “a landmark, newly refurbished Grade II Georgian chapel and contemporary events venue.”
It says the building is part freehold, part long leasehold – the permitted use under the lease is performing arts, live performance, moving image and visual arts and ancillary processes.
The brochure refers to Square Chapel’s “high quality extensive refurbishment”, noting a £6.6 million renovation was completed nine years ago to revive the space and turn it into a multi-use arts space with a cafe and bar area.
It notes its central position in Halifax, close to the rail station and town centre, with two performance spaces capable of seating 220 and 115 people respectively, and it has external loading with multiple spaces for parking, says the brochure.
Square Chapel has a “fully equipped kitchen and well fit-out bar facilities,” it adds.
Its proximity to other visitor landmarks – next to the Piece Hall and across the road from Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is noted.
According to the brochure, the property is understood to have a rateable value of £45,000 – Business Rates are currently 49.9p in the pound using the current multiplier for 2025-26, it notes.
“Interested parties are advised to make their own inquiries with the rating department of the local authority,” it says on this issue.
Further in the detail, the brochure explains the property is split into two titles, with the original chapel held as freehold.
The remainder of the property is held on long leasehold basis with 116 years remaining, expiring in June 2142 – this includes the contemporary wing, which includes the second auditorium, the public foyer, cafe and bar, and all associated back-of-house areas.
Viewing is by appointment with Watling Real Estate only.
Contact details on how to this are available online at https://watling.com/property/square-chapel-10-square-road-halifax-west-yorkshire-hx1-1qg/
Square Chapel was originally built in 1772.
Since the closure last year major lobbying by the Save Square Chapel Campaign group to get it re-opened and in use again has kept the issue very much in the public eye.