The Piece Hall in partnership with local Halifax craft artisan-distiller Speight’s Gin is set to release its own brand of gin, which has been inspired by the fascinating heritage of the Grade I-listed building and botanicals from the surrounding Yorkshire landscape, on Friday 11 November 2022.
The iconic venue celebrated its fifth anniversary since a multimillion-pound transformation back in August 2022, and following this, The Piece Hall Trust conceptualised and developed a bespoke gin to commemorate the significant milestone. The gin’s release will coincide with the first day of the venue’s popular annual Winter Makers Markets, offering visitors the opportunity to take a ‘piece’ of the historic venue home with them in time for Christmas or buy a unique gift for a loved one. The Piece Hall’s bespoke gin-based cocktail will also be available as a special to order at the Trading Rooms restaurant and bar from Friday.
The Piece Hall is the world’s only remaining Georgian cloth hall, dating back to 1779 when it was first used for the trading of ‘pieces’ of cloth produced as part of Yorkshire’s famous cottage industry – a vital part of the eighteenth-century textiles trade in West Yorkshire. The soon-to-be-launched gin is lovingly inspired by this unique heritage as well as reflecting local geography, infused with 11 carefully selected botanicals that create a crisp yet calming flavour. Ingredients include plums and turmeric as were used in the traditional wool-dying process, and dandelion root and heather which echo the surrounding natural Yorkshire landscape, as well as juniper berries; lemon peel; sheep sorrel; marigold petals; elderberries; orris root; and angelica root.
Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, chief executive of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “It’s been a really memorable year for The Piece Hall – from hosting our biggest series of live gigs yet to celebrating our fifth anniversary back in August with the news that we’ve already welcomed over 10 and a half million visitors since reopening.
“We wanted to create something from scratch that would mark the occasion and developing the gin has been a real team effort from The Piece Hall, working in partnership with a fantastic craft artisan-distiller that really encapsulates the local independent spirit that is the lifeblood of our venue’s heritage and ethos. The gin is essentially the ‘essence’ of The Piece Hall, and we hope it will help people to experience the truly unique story of the building in a new way – as well as enabling our visitors to enjoy a festive tipple with us to celebrate.”
Peter Speight, owner and founder of Speight’s Gin, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with The Piece Hall team. The gin we have created has taken two years to perfect and we are delighted with the outcome. We are still trying to absorb the magnitude of this partnership – our thanks go out to all our friends, family and customers who have supported this amazing journey”.
The gin has been crafted in partnership with multi-award-winning Halifax craft artisan-distiller, Speight’s Gin, in- keeping with The Piece Hall’s long history of supporting local independent traders and reflecting the traditional cottage industry connections of the Hall.
The gin will go on sale from Friday 11 November 2022 in-store at The Deli and online via the Speights Gin website, as well as being sold onsite at the Horsebox for the duration of this year’s Winter Makers Markets.
For further information, please contact Emily McGowan-Phoenix at Social at emily.mcgowanphoenix@social.co.uk or on 07393233435
ABOUT THE PIECE HALL
First opened in 1779 for the trading of ‘pieces’ of woollen cloth produced on hand looms as part of Yorkshire’s famous cottage industry, this grade 1 listed building is the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world.
This unique architectural and cultural wonder is now an award-winning contemporary leisure, retail, cultural and heritage destination, which has welcomed more than 10 million visitors through its historic gates since re- opening on 1 August 2017.
The 66,000sq ft open air courtyard, which is on a par with the great piazzas of Europe, is now home to a treasure trove of high-quality independent shops, unique restaurants, bars and hosts a year-round programme of large-scale, world class music and arts events alongside food and drink, and community festivals.
2022’s ‘Live at The Piece Hall’ gigs saw almost 60,000 people watch global music stars including Tom Jones, Paloma Faith, Nile Rodgers and CHIC and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds perform at the venue.
For more information about The Piece Hall please visit www.thepiecehall.co.uk
