Halifax Future High Streets

Plans

Our strategy focusses on the idea of ‘Connecting Halifax’. We're making changes to better connect parts of the town centre and create spaces for people to spend time and enjoy. 

We are working with business and third sector groups to improve Halifax for residents and visitors. This project complements Halifax’s existing retail and cultural assets to diversify the town centre offer and bring more people within walking distance of town centre attractions.

The Halifax Future High Streets programme includes a number of connected projects:

Halifax Borough Market

We're updating the iconic Grade II* listed Victorian market, creating a warmer and more welcoming place for people to shop, eat, drink and spend time.

We're making improvements outside and inside the market. Find out more about this project: Halifax Borough Market - Halifax Future High Streets . 

Victoria Theatre

Making a visit to this iconic theatre a more attractive choice. 

We've enhanced this iconic Grade II listed theatre so that more people can enjoy all that this venue has to offer. We’ve improved accessibility, making it easier to get into the theatre, and we've created a café bar; further enhancing the visitor experience . 

Find out more about this project: Victoria Theatre  - Halifax Future High Streets.

George Square

We're making George Square and George Street more welcoming, safer and greener spaces for all to enjoy. We're creating a new public square destination where people can meet, socialise, and relax.

Find out more about this project: George Square - Halifax Future High Streets.

Art and About Trail

We’re creating a trail that features a mix of brand-new art installations and existing landmarks in Halifax town centre.

Find out more about this project: Art and About Trail - Halifax Future High Streets. 

Northgate House 

A vibrant new focal point for Halifax.

We’ve transformed the former central library into a brand new sixth form academy and redeveloped old council buildings into over 50,000 square feet of high-quality office and retail space. All located around a new public square.

Find out more about this project: Halifax Northgate.

Westgate Phase 2 

We are supporting local developer O&C Management to refurbish buildings and land at Horton Street as part of the expansion of Westgate Arcade. Plans include 12 new units for use as retail, leisure and office spaces, enhancing the arcade's shopping and dining offer. 

Find out more about this development: Westgate Arcade.

Palatine Chambers 

We've supported a local housing charity to upgrade accommodation at Palatine Chambers, creating good quality homes in the town centre. 

Benefits

Economic growth

We’re creating opportunities for Halifax’s high street to grow and thrive. These changes support current and future businesses.

Visitor economy 

We’re enhancing the town centre and helping to increase the number of visitors. 

Art, heritage and culture

We’re investing in our heritage buildings, preserving them so that they can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.  We’re creating new and better venues, and creating opportunities for people to learn about and celebrate Halifax’s unique history and culture. 

Community

We’re creating spaces where people can meet, spend time and enjoy.

Sustainability 

We're delivering regeneration projects that will complement future developments in the town centre. We're making changes to create warmer, more energy efficient buildings. 

Connectivity

We're connecting assets with new spaces, linking key destinations and encouraging people to explore.

Progress

30 August 2022

Halifax Borough Market works kickstart high street transformation.

Improvement works have begun at Halifax Borough Market this week, marking the start of the first major project funded by the Future High Streets Fund in Halifax.

Revitalising the stunning Victorian market hall is a key part of the £11.7 million Future High Streets work planned across Halifax town centre.

August 2022

Re-roofing starts at Halifax Borough Market this month. The milestone marks the start of the first major project funded by the Future High Street Fund in Halifax.

The contract for the work has been awarded to local company IAG Developments Ltd. The Queensbury based contractor is familiar with the market. They completed similar roofing works in the Albany Arcade section of the market, and the re-roofing and external works to the Market Street elevation.

The £2.3m contract will take around 18 months to complete. The work starts 22 August 2022 and will be undertaken in 5 phases to minimise disruption.

We’ve ensured that erection of scaffolding at the market is planned to take place outside of normal trading hours to minimise disruption. Surplus fittings will be removed prior to the start of trading each morning and lighting will be provided to make up for the light blocked out by scaffolding.

The works will address a number of issues highlighted by tenants:

January 2022

We have appointed a consultancy to complete the work. They have visited locations around Halifax to understand the key elements of the Future High Streets project.

The consultants are currently reviewing the works programme. Their role at this stage is to make sure we can deliver a high quality build that will complement other developments in the town centre.

May 2021

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government confirm funding for this project, and the Elland Future High Streets Fund project.

Read the announcement: More high streets set for funding boost as reopening accelerates