Major step forward for Wakefield Exchange
Monday, August 12, 2024
Plans to transform Wakefield’s former market hall into a stunning new events space have taken a major step forward.
Wakefield Exchange is welcoming applications from creative and digital business, and from independent food and drinks businesses in Wakefield and across the wider West Yorkshire area to be part of the exciting new venue, that is due to be launched this winter. The launch will be part of Wakefield Council’s 366-day programme of cultural and creative activity, Our Year 2024.
“The Wakefield Exchange will offer residents a fantastic experience with an exciting programme of events and activities in a landmark venue.
“It will provide opportunities for creative and digital businesses and independent food and drinks businesses.
“We have listened to feedback from residents and we’re pleased that we’re now at this stage, as we look forward to launching the venue later this year.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
The Wakefield Exchange will provide much needed new events space to attract visitors into the city centre on a permanent basis.
It has been developed with further creative opportunity for Wakefield’s residents and visitors at its heart.
Events at the site have been very popular with residents and wider visitors, including the Festival of the Moon and the Fire and Ice exhibition during the Festival of the Earth, and the Rhubarb Festival.
The venue will create jobs in the catering sector and there will also be business spaces on offer to small and medium digital and creative businesses, enabling Wakefield Exchange to play its part in the regeneration of the city centre.
The £7.7 million transformation, which is being supported by funding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, will also provide skills training opportunities for local residents and workspace to attract new creative businesses into the city centre.
Wakefield and West Yorkshire businesses in the food and drink sectors, as well as creative, digital and cultural industries are invited to apply for WX business tenancies at www.wxwakefield.co.uk by close of play on Monday 26th August 2024.
Notes for editors
Wakefield Exchange has been funded by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England, and by Wakefield Council.
About Our Year
Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 is a partnership celebration led by Wakefield Council.
The council is enabling Our Year to leave a lasting legacy for its people and places, working in partnership with organisations from Wakefield district and the West Yorkshire region. West Yorkshire Combined Authority has also supported Our Year with a grant of £800,000 towards the cost of staging the year-long programme, with Arts Council England investing £500,000 and National Lottery Heritage Fund supporting with a grant of £245,000. To find out about Our Year, please visit ouryear2024.co.uk
For further information, follow Our Year on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.