Westgate Arcade, Halifax

 Westgate is one of the oldest streets in the centre of Halifax, originally built to provide access to the nearby Piece Hall on land owned by the vicarage of Halifax, it required an Act of Parliament to enable construction. The road provided access from Southgate to Market Street and then on towards the western gate of the Piece Hall. The area around Westgate was little used and under developed when a number of properties were acquired around the late 1990's and a plan was announced to develop the area in to a covered pedestrian zone including carrier street which connects the arcade with the nearby Borough Market. In 2006 this plan was completed and the mix of independent shops, leisure, bars that occupy the arcade have become a welcome addition to the Halifax scene.

These pictures were taken on the 27th May 2018 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. They can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked by clicking any image, link opens in another window.

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Halifax Pubs Volume 5

I have recently posted on a few occasions about the pictures I took of the pubs of Halifax Town Centre in May 2018, this is to be my final post of this collection and I have now included the video of the entire set of 32 pictures which I have uploaded to YouTube.

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The Old Post Office

The first Post Office in Halifax was sighted here in 1790, the pub was known as the Bowling Green until 2008 when it closed for a spell before re-opening in 2010 with it's current name.

The Royal Oak

Rebuilt in 1929 using timber from HMS Newcastle the pub has had a number of different names in recent years including Tap & Spile and Dirty Dicks. It as here that Olive Smelt had been drinking on the 15th August 1975, the night she was attacked by the Yorkshire Ripper to become his 2nd victim. Happily she survived the attack and although she struggled to get over what happened that night lived to the age of 82.

The Westgate

Originally built as an house it became a pub some time after 1843 when the owner John Oldfield Bates had died. Despite plans to refurbish the building and it's good central location near to the Piece Hall and Borough Market it has remained closed for several years now.

Union Cross Hotel

The Oldest Inn in Halifax, it was renamed the Union Cross in 1745 to show support for the crown during the Jacobite Rebellion. Daniel Defoe and John Wesley have both stayed here, and like most old pubs within Halifax there is said to be tunnels from the cellars to the Parish Church. The building is Grade II listed. Webster's Brewery opened an in the adjoining Union Cross Yard.

The White Horse

Built in 1899 as a replacement for the earlier White Horse that opened in 1819 and stood nearby. The rebuilding was due to Southgate being widened.

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Halifax Pubs Volume 2

Volume 2 of Halifax pubs is another set taken in May 2018 featuring 5 nightspots on this post.

The Barum Top

Opened in 2000, the Barum Top is a JD Wetherspoons pub, purpose built on the site of a former car garage and carpet store.

Ring O'Bells

Rebuilt in 1720, a pub has occupied the site since the 13th century. The pub is said to have a tunnel connecting the cellar with the nearby Halifax Parish Church.

Old Cock Inn

The Old Cock was built in 1580 as a town house by William Saville. It became an inn in 1668 and is thought to be amongst the oldest in Halifax. It is where the meeting to form the Halifax Permanent Building Society took place and the meeting place of the notorious Cragg Vale Coiners gang.

Inn-Cognito Restaurant

Closed in 2018 so the owner could retire, Inn-Cognito had been a fixture of the Halifax dining scene for over 35 years. The building was originally a Whitaker's pub called the Hope Inn which closed in 1971.

Acapulco Nightclub and Gourmet Restaurant

There's not much to add about the Gourmet Restaurant, it started life as the Broadway Supermarket and has had many users over the years until a few years ago when it became a Chinese restaurant, now been closed for several years.

The Acapulco Nightclub is said to be the UK's longest running club, opened in 1962 it is still a popular nightspot today.

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Halifax Pubs Volume 1

Set 1 of my Halifax pubs is 9 pictures that were taken in May 2018 around the centre of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Halifax is known for it's large amount of pubs within a short distance and is a popular night destination amongst the drinkers of West Yorkshire and beyond.

Renamed the Cat & Fiddle in 2014 the pub is more commonly known in Halifax as the Brass Cat, the pubs former nickname being formerly adopted in 1981, when it was changed from the Golden Lion. It can be found on Cheapside.

Bow Legged with Brass has been known as the following over the years, Pitchers Sports Bar, Griffs, The Griffin.

The Salvation, which is housed underneath a car park started life as a branch of Comet Electrical Stores, before being converted to a bar in 2002 known as Barracuda. It has also been known as Barcentro during it's life as a pub.

Housed in the former Arcade Royal, home of the Halifax Co-operative society until 2001 when the shopping arcade was divided up in to smaller units with the pub being the main part of the development. When opened the pub was known as the Goose at the Arcade and renamed as the Duke of Wellington in 2012.

Koko's to the near left of the picture has the honour of being Halifax's most renamed pub. Some of the pub's names have been The Crown & Anchor, Heaths, The Adega, Scratcherd's, and The Continental amongst many others. In the background of the picture is the Bull,

Rebuilt and opened in 1940 as the Bull's Head, this pub has also had it's share of names including The Manhattan, Xess, and Brasserie at the Bull.

Lewin's named after the family that ran it for over 60 years until sometime during the 2nd world war is one of the oldest remaining pubs in Halifax. Built in 1769 and known as the Hare & Hounds for much of it's history. Other names have included The Last Drop and O'Neil's. The pub was a men only drinking establishment until the late 1960's.

The Imperial Crown lies opposite the entrance to Halifax Railway Station. Opened as the Greece House and then the Crown Hotel.

One of Halifax's newer bars-pubs I must confess having never been in the Middle Bar.

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The Puzzle Hall Inn - Awaiting its Next Chapter

In the heart of our community, standing silent yet full of untold stories, lies the Puzzle Hall Inn. More than just bricks and mortar, this familiar landmark has witnessed generations of laughter, camaraderie, and the clinking of tankards. For those of us who call this place home, the sight of its weathered facade evokes a sense of history, a tangible link to the past.

Opening its doors in the late 1700s, the Puzzle Hall Inn quickly became a fixture in local life. Imagine the bustling conversations that echoed within its walls, the warmth of the hearth on a cold evening, and the lively atmosphere fueled by its very own brews. Yes, for a significant period after its inception, this wasn't just a place to drink beer, it was a place where beer was born. The very air would have carried the malty aroma of fermentation, a testament to a truly local enterprise.

That era of independent brewing came to a close in 1935 when Ward's of Sheffield took the reins. While the brewery taps may have changed, the Puzzle Hall Inn continued its role as a social hub, a place where friendships were forged and local tales were shared over a pint. For decades, it stood as a reliable cornerstone of our community, a place you could always count on.

Then, in the early 2010s, a hush fell over the Puzzle Hall. The doors closed, the laughter faded, and the familiar glow from its windows was extinguished. For many, it felt like a piece of our local identity had gone quiet. The building stood as a poignant reminder of times past, a puzzle indeed, waiting for its missing pieces to be found.

Fast forward to today, and a spark of hope has ignited. A dedicated community group has stepped forward, their vision set on breathing new life into this beloved landmark. The prospect of the Puzzle Hall Inn once again echoing with conversation and cheer is a truly exciting one. It speaks volumes about the enduring spirit of our community and the deep affection we hold for our local heritage.

These glimpses into the Puzzle Hall's silent slumber were captured on a crisp autumn day, the 2nd of November 2013. Taken with a humble Samsung Galaxy, these photographs offer a snapshot in time, a visual testament to the building's stoic presence during its period of quiet contemplation. They serve as a reminder of what was, and perhaps more importantly, what could be once again.

As the community group works towards their goal, we can all look forward to the day when the Puzzle Hall Inn's doors swing open once more, ready to welcome a new chapter in its long and fascinating history. The puzzle may have been still for a while, but the pieces are being gathered, and the picture of a vibrant future is beginning to take shape. Keep an eye out, this local legend may soon be ready to share its stories once again.

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