Dean Clough sets precedent for Calderdale's year of culture

Dean Clough, the 22-acre mixed use destination in Halifax, has reported a successful year in business as it prepares to play a key role in Calderdale’s 2024 Year of Culture celebrations.

The historic venue has enjoyed a period of evolution with new flexible working and wellbeing initiatives that have attracted a multitude of new customers. It has also extended relationships with existing occupiers throughout 2023, signifying a positive return to workplace engagement.

In the last fifteen months alone Dean Clough has signed and renewed deals with occupiers on more than 110,000 sq ft of space and currently has a further 110,000 sq ft of work, office, and leisure space in discussion or under offer.

Recent highlights include the UK’s largest online florist, Prestige Gifting, taking a 10,000 sq ft HQ, a new purpose designed 8,000 sq ft gym facility for Jim-Nas-Tiks, and Pinc College supporting neurodiverse students taking 4,000 sq ft. Greenarc Energy, SSP, And Digital, Frog, Chef Benson Smith Academy and HUBB Coffee have also helped to boost trading at Dean Clough and enhance its digital and educational excellence.

Considerable investment in renovating more of the unique spaces within the historic mill buildings has also attracted a number of independent retail operators offering beauty, health and wellbeing, and upmarket shopping.

Dean Clough is already home to around 150 businesses employing over 3,000 people including the UK HQ of Covea Insurance and provides the Halifax base for Chadwick Lawrence solicitors. Whilst a drive to incentivise more businesses to benefit from the characterful Grade A office space at Dean Clough is underway, its cultural attraction has also significantly boosted its national profile.

Dean Clough was selected to host the ultimate awards finale for The British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) as its first venture outside of London. It also hosted award winning TV and film productions including Happy Valley, the Gallows Pole, and Marvel’s Secret Invasion, giving substance to the regions ‘Culturedale’ label.

Dean Clough has long been widely recognised for its cultural offering including its unique subterranean theatre and one of the largest private art galleries in the UK which is free to the public. The theatre has enjoyed a great year of diverse productions with the hugely popular pantomime just ended and this experience is bolstered with pre theatre dining experience in True North restaurant - together with the other establishments on site.

The Mills are the home of the world-renowned theatre company, Northern Broadsides whose mixed touring programme of Shakespearean productions, adapted classic plays and new writing in a northern voice have built a significant following.

Dean Clough hosted the “Our House Party” event in the summer, and the Prestige/Next Level firework extravaganza in November, attracting thousands of partygoers to Dean Clough in the process.

The mills are also the base for the Halifax Philharmonic Club, hosting a wonderful mix of concerts for the second year in succession and is also set to host the launch of Calderdale’s landmark Year of Culture 2024 later this month, playing an integral part in activities throughout the year.

Jeremy Hall, chairman and managing director said, “We are delighted to have enjoyed such a vibrant and productive year at Dean Clough, working with the wonderful mix of creative and engaged partners and stakeholders from and within our extensive community.

“The outputs achieved reflect the benefits of the long-term investment and commitment of all our stakeholders, building on the incredible legacy of the mills. The community of Dean Clough has always been rooted in creativity, business, and place making to create and foster a location which is attractive and appealing to people and businesses alike. The new and sustaining deals we have signed in the last period are a notable achievement and are a direct testament to that journey and investment.

“The reuse of these historic mills delivers indisputable carbon benefits, which when combined with a best practice approach to their repurposing creates a product that is energy efficient, sustainable, and rewarding.

“There is such a vibrant breadth of amenity on site now, with a fabulously diverse range of cafes, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, therapists, retailers, galleries, theatre and student facilities. With the enviable combination of landscaped space, engaging public realm, and ample onsite parking, we feel that the Dean Clough offer and community has become even more relevant to the requirements and needs of the market since the pandemic reset.

“The site benefits from constant evolution and investment, numerous projects are planned for the coming year which include amongst others, the installation of high-speed EV charging stations which will be a fantastic addition to the sites offer”

Dean Clough has energy efficient Grade A work and office space available – up to 50,000sq.ft. in addition to serviced offices/retail/workspace from 50sq.ft.

Dean Clough is located on the edge of Halifax town centre, between Leeds and Manchester, and just 15 minutes from the M62 with direct train links to Leeds, Manchester, York and London.