Unity Hall

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, MD of Cause UK, is delighted to be working with Chris Hill, Chairman of Unity Hall in Wakefield.  The team at Unity Hall have been successful in raising £4million to refurbish this Grade II listed building, which is just a 5 minute walk from Wakefield train station.

Unity Hall is Wakefield’s biggest ever community arts driven project. The Hall will be restored to create a music venue, gallery, restaurant and cafe space. There are two main performancfe areas: A Main Hall, with bar, will seat 600, or 700 standing, and is being remodelled to accommodate flexible staging and seating. The Minor Hall, with bar, holds 100 and will stage smaller performances and be used as a training ground for programmers and event organisers.

Funding has been received from the European Regional Development Fund, the Leeds LEP and Wakefield City Council. Over £100,000 has also been raised by issuing shares to the local community. In order for the Hall to open in time in September this year, Clair has been tasked with raising a further £200,000 to contribute towards a shortfall to pay for revenue and capital costs.

Unity Hall will work in partnership with the Theatre Royal, the National Coal Mining Museum, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hepworth Gallery to create its arts, music and performance programme and is expected to have a £6m economic impact and create 100 jobs. The Hall will also be at the heart of a new cultural quarter for Wakefield, which is important given that currently only 10% of the population participate in cultural activities. The upper floors of the building will be dedicated office and conference facilities for 50 creative businesses.

Simon Wallis, Director of the Hepworth Gallery, said: “It’s so exciting to know this communal heart of Wakefield will be beating once more and will make a significant contribution to the diverse and ambitious cultural offer for the region. It’s an invaluable asset that will contribute to Wakefield as a place that not only showcases the finest art, but creates its own vibrant, cultural scene at a grass roots level.”

Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire also backs the project “Unity Hall will be another string to Yorkshire’s cultural bow and has the potential to play a role in growing tourism in Wakefield. It will add to Wakefield’s already burgeoning cultural scene.”

If you would like to find out more about Unity Hall or if you are interested in buying shares in Unity Hall, please contact clair@causeuk.com, 07531948014.