Video: Take a look inside the Piece Hall development

The Transformation Project works are funded by Calderdale Council and has received a major award from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the conservation programme and the provision of heritage interpretation, learning and volunteering from 2016.

Contractors Graham Construction is making progress on the transformation works using heritage stonemasons to deliver the comprehensive programme of conservation repairs to the historic fabric of the building.

Other work is focussing on preparing the site for infrastructure improvements and major work on the courtyard.

Councillor Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council, said: “There continues to be great progress with construction work happening inside and outside the Piece Hall.

“We are also grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Trust for additional generous support to help realise our ambitions for the Piece Hall.”

The £20m 72-week development of the historic building started on October 27, 2014, and is set to be completed in 2016.

Gary Hughes, GRAHAM Construction regional director, said: “The refurbishment of the Piece Hall is a landmark regeneration project that will transform one of the best-known Grade 1 listed buildings in the north of England.

“Due to its architectural, cultural and economic importance the Piece Hall has been at the heart of civic life in Halifax for more than 230 years.

“We are pleased to say we are making excellent progress with the refurbishment as well as the construction of the new library and central archive.

“Our strong partnership with Calderdale Council and our supply chain has ensured that the work is on schedule and that the local community is being kept fully informed along the way.

“When the works are finished the Piece Hall will become one of the centrepieces of the regeneration of Halifax town centre, helping to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year with its unrivalled architectural, cultural and retail offering.

“In addition GRAHAM also plans to create a lasting legacy in Halifax by hiring local tradespeople wherever possible, creating work placements for the long-term unemployed and engaging local schoolchildren in activities in order to inspire them to consider a career in construction.”