Halifax, nice to visit but I'd love to leave! (Halifax in General)

Member Name: tarara

Product:	Halifax in General
Date:	21/01/05 (580 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good public transport, Eureka, Loads of pubs and clubs

Disadvantages: Loads of pub and clubs, I have to live here (for now at least!)

I was born in Halifax and have lived in the area almost all my life except for living in Newark for a while (where I would go back given the chance).

Halifax isn't a bad place to visit there are some good shops, officially there are more pubs/clubs per household than anywhere else in the country) with more being built almost daily!) and there are some nice places to visit.

Shops

Quite a lot of big chain stores here such as M & S, W H Smith, Woolworths, Peacocks, New Look, Evans, Wilkinsons and The Body shop (among others) there are also lots of "one off shops" Harveys is a department store sells higher end fashion, cosmetics and homeware items, Spinnies very nice card and gift shop with a coffee shop, a few small "boutiques" and 2 markets! There is the Borough Market large, indoor open all week (except Sunday), sells everything from fruit and veg to porcelain dolls and everything inbetween. The Piece Hall Market outdoors open Thursday, Fridays and Saturday and the 4 Sundays before Christmas. Thursday is the busiest day this is second hand day! The peice Hall itself has some good specialist shops dolls houses and teddy bears, craft, mineral and crystals, records and a book shop. The Piece Hall is a wonderful building more about that later.
There did used to be Westgate Market as well which was a small indoor market that could have been really nice but somehow wasn't and recently closed, what it will reopen as is anyones guess but possibly another bar or club!

Pubs/clubs

Loads of them, if a business closes down and it is big enough it will open as a pub or club! For a decent cheap pub lunch go to the Brass Cat they do 2 meals for £4.99 and aren't half bad. There is a Yates wine bar which is always packed. There are several Nightclubs, The Coliseum where I spent my later teen years! Not a bad club usually busy, not much trouble, drinks not cheap but they do have cut price nights have live acts on occasionally Jason Donovan springs to mind! The Acapulco known locally as the Acca, dosen't seem too bad, cheap drinks ok crowd used to be that the men were all about 50 and the girls about 15! Both are mainstream music clubs. The Tube and Zoo bar are more "alternative" music. Revival has a heavy metal night on a Friday usually with a live tribute band playing last time I was in it was "Moletallica"!
There are countless pubs most of them are ok, no real dives!

Museums

Eureka Childrens Museum is a must if you have kids, it is about £4.75 per person kids and adults pay the same under 2s are free. They have loads of "hands on exhibits" there is a M & S, a post office and a kwik fit as well as a broadcasting studio and how your body works. There is a gift shop and cafe which are both fairly resonable.
Bankfield museum is situated just outside Halifax town, they have various exhibits troughout the year past ones have been 1960's and the world wars.
Shibden Hall is situated again just outside Halifax town centre in Shibden Park. It is still as it was in the 17-1800's and craft fairs are held there where vendors will dress in authentic costumes.

Other places of interest

The Piece Hall is probably one of Halifaxs finest buildings. It is a large multi storey building around a central courtyard where wool and cloths were sold, an outdoor market is still held here Thursday (flea market), Friday and Saturdays. The building itself has dozens of small individual shops ranging from model shops to vinyl record shops. If you enter the Piece Hall from the Westgate entrance there is a handprint in the stone wall this is said to be a Witches handprint left as she tried to stop herself being dragged into the courtyard for execution.
The Shay, if you are a Halifax Town supporter, not much to look at really but some people do go to visit!
Peoples Park, a delightful park with a fountain and staues that have been restored over recent years, and a newly opened information centre. Until recently was a no go area, situated to the west of the town centre it is now a pleasent place for a family day out, there is a play park for the children and the whole area is covered by CCTV, the park is locked at night.
The Victoria Theatre, a lovely building which attracts acts for all tastes, from Chubby Brown to the ballet, The Chippendales stripped there and teh West Yorkshire Scouts put on Gang show there every 4 years.
The Halifax, a review of Halifax wouldn't be complete without mentioning THE Halifax would it? The Head Office is on the outskirts of the town centre and is a massive building almost entirely made of windows! Although it has been there for years it still looks modern and somehow out of kilter to it's surroundings, it is among beautiful old buildings and looks stark and unfriendly in contrast.


Transport and Parking

Most of Halifax Town centre is pedestrian zoned but there is plenty of parking both in car parks and on streets. All parking is pay and display (except disabled). The town has a good bus service and trains are frequent. The Bus station has won several design awards and there is a lovely cafe there for while you wait for your bus. The bus and train services into Halifax are quite good.

All in all Halifax is a nice place to visit with plenty to see and do, but I'd prefer not to live here!

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