Yorkshire legal firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors and leading professional services firm PwC have become corporate members of The Piece Hall Trust. As the charity that runs The Piece Hall begins its second year at the helm, the Trust’s corporate membership scheme is now five-strong, with businesses of all scales and sectors keen to support the multi award-winning heritage destination.
Both companies have taken up top tier membership which means they will play an important role in the future of the transformed Piece Hall. Funds from corporate membership are vital to help the Trust conserve the iconic Grade I listed building – the only surviving cloth hall in the UK – which serves to provide cultural engagement and learning opportunities for the local community, as well as performing a vital role in the regeneration of Halifax. Corporate members receive benefits that include invitations to special events, employee engagement, networking and brand awareness opportunities.
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors have been serving Yorkshire for over 160 years, with seven offices throughout the region and a strong emphasis on supporting the community.
Nicholas Worsnop, one of the firm’s partners based in Halifax said: “Chadwick Lawrence is celebrating twenty-five years in Halifax this year. We will be relocating to Dean Clough later in the year. Halifax is an important and prominent location for our business and the firm has always been keen to support Halifax and Calderdale. My partner in the Halifax office, Steven Bonfield, and I are both natives of Halifax and as such we appreciate the importance of The Piece Hall to the area and the town, both its past and now its exciting future. We are pleased that our firm is able to support and recognise the role that it plays.”
PwC has a major presence in West Yorkshire, with over 700 staff being based in its Leeds office. PwC has been working with The Piece Hall Trust team since 2017 so it was a natural step to sign up as a corporate member.
Toby Underwood, PwC Partner commented: “I’m delighted that PwC is able to provide its support to The Piece Hall which will help to ensure that the people of Yorkshire will continue to have access to such a unique and exciting venue right on their doorstep. Venues such as these form an important part in demonstrating the region’s history so it’s vital we work together to safeguard their future.”
Since re-opening on 1st August 2017 The Piece Hall has been the focus of much regional, national and international media attention. The transformation project has won multiple building, heritage and visitor destination awards, while The Piece Hall has already hosted a royal visit and high-profile events including BBC flagships ‘Children In Need’ and ‘The Antiques Roadshow’, and the Tour de Yorkshire.
Chief Executive for The Piece Hall Trust Nicky Chance-Thompson adds: “The Piece Hall is fast establishing itself as a destination for heritage, events, culture, retail and business in the heart of Halifax and helping to put the town, region and Yorkshire on the map. It means a great deal to us to partner with such a well-respected, successful and established Halifax company like Chadwick Lawrence and it’s a real honour that a global company with the credentials of PwC is aligning its beliefs and values with The Piece Hall Trust. The Piece Hall, unlike other major heritage destinations, does not charge an entry fee and as a charity tasked with sustaining its future, support from business and other funders is crucial to ensuring our long-term success.
After a successful first year that saw a footfall of 2.5 million people, businesses can see the opportunity to be part of building something really exciting here and get involved in preserving the town’s future. We would love to hear from and work with other companies who’d like to be part of The Piece Hall story.”
