Union joins calls to save Halifax's Square Chapel arts centre after sudden closure
A public meeting's been organised to push for the venue to be saved
Calderdale trade unionists are backing performing arts colleagues’ campaign to save a Halifax arts centre which closed suddenly earlier this year.
Calderdale TUC is backing a campaign by Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trades union, and TUC Yorkshire and Humber Creative and Leisure Industries Committee, to save Square Chapel Arts Centre.
As well as launching a petition calling on Calderdale Council and the Arts Council to save the venue, it has organised a public meeting early in July to rally support.
This will take place at Calderdale Industrial Museum on Thursday, July 3, at 7pm.
Speakers from Arts Council England, Calderdale Council and others have been invited and as well as trades unionists the organisers are urging the public to come along.
Pete Keal, Equity trade union delegate to Calderdale TUC, said: “Since closing in February, there have been discussions about the future of Square Chapel between Calderdale Council and Arts Council England.
“It is high time the public had a say over the future of Square Chapel – the voices and support of local people are crucial if Halifax’s arts centre is to succeed and flourish once again.”
The campaign is calling for public involvement in efforts to save this vital community asset, says Calderdale TUC.
It says Calderdale needs a thriving Square Chapel Arts Centre “open and operating for the people of Halifax and surrounding areas.”
The petition can be found at https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/save-square-chapel-for-the-people.
Calderdale TUC chair Dan Whittall said: “Square Chapel Arts Centre has hosted local and community performers, musicians and school groups, as well as trades union events.
“As a teacher I’m especially aware of the vital need to defend the arts and to maintain spaces for artistic expression in our communities.
“Calderdale TUC is especially concerned about the impact of the closure of Square Chapel on workers at the arts centre as well as workers whose performances were cancelled as a result of its closure.
“We are proud to support the Save Square Chapel campaign, call on people to sign the petition and join us to share your views at the public meeting,” he said.
Last week Calderdale scrutiny board councillors expressed concern that the centre might be lost to the town and the borough and called for it to be included in an evaluation of Calderdale’s Year of Culture, which ran until the end of April 2025.
The year – dubbed Culturedale – marked the borough’s 50th anniversary.