Shoppers flocked to a festive exhibition at the Woolshops by the Halifax Renaissance Team, describing a masterplan of future projects.

And it may have been the mulled wine and mince pies dished out, but visitors were certainly full of enthusiasm for the new ideas.

Lifelong Halifax resident Dorothy Butterworth, 64, said: "Our historic buildings are beautiful and it is lovely to see such positive thinking for the town.

"It is so exciting and about time we moved to take this town forward.
"I would love to see the Piece Hall thriving again."

Calderdale College student Beth Dawson, 17, had other ideas.

She said: "I've lived in Halifax all my life and at the moment it's a very exciting time.

"The town can still be a bit rubbish but I just think we need more shops and entertainment.

"I'm really looking forward to getting a cinema and a Primark would be great as well."

At the exhibition, Renaissance members talked people through key developments to the town's premier sites.

Proposals include returning the Piece Hall to the centre of the town, building a new bus station and developing a university campus and commercial centre around Horton Street.

Kieran McGlasson, an urban planner working for the Renaissance project, said: "We had such a good response to the plans.

"Our proposals are all about integration and getting people on board and it is very heartening to see such excitement from people in the town.

The exhibition will move to Halifax Central Library and will be set up as part of the Piece Hall Ice Sculpture Trail on Sunday December 14 between 10am and 4pm.

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