Gig-goers concerned over venue's new entry time

The Piece Hall, Halifax, is a former 18th Century cloth hall and a venue for outdoor shows

Gig-goers have criticised a new entry cut-off time at Halifax's Piece Hall, which regularly hosts concerts by big name acts.

The venue has said all ticket holders must now be in the site by 20:00 BST.

People planning to attend shows have questioned the need to be there so early and businesses such as bars and restaurants have expressed fears they will lose revenue.

The Piece Hall said the new time is due to enhanced security measures such as a single-file metal detector.

Blondie headlined at the standing-only venue on Friday evening, and other acts including Placebo and Tom Jones are set to play at the former Georgian cloth hall through the summer.

On the Piece Hall website it states on gig nights: "Doors open 6pm. Last entry is 8pm. The event will finish by approximately 11pm."

Scott Downsborough, who grew up and lives in Halifax, told the BBC he has tickets to two shows this summer but said the Piece Hall is trying to "monopolise people" by forcing them to spend money there.

Father John Misty performing in 2018

"The last gig I went to, all the bars in town were full beforehand," he said.

"Making everyone leave the bars before eight is going to mean big losses for local businesses.

"And what about people who can't get there for eight because of travel or work - or what if they simply do not want to get there so early before the headline act?"

Mr Downsborough, 53, also said the Piece Hall is a "magnificent building" and as a venue has put Halifax on the map.

"But this new timing means it is taking revenue out of the town," he added.

The Piece Hall has sold more than 170,000 tickets to its 34 summer gigs and said outside of London and the south coast, only Glastonbury and Liverpool’s Anfield stadium will welcome more people to outdoor shows in England between June and August.

The owners of a nearby venue said the the cut-off time was disappointing because town centre hospitality in Halifax received a much-needed boost from the Piece Hall's gigs.

Mr Downsborough said he believes the venue's new enhanced security measures are "not necessary" because "Halifax is is not Glastonbury".

"We're just a small venue in a small town in West Yorkshire", he added.

Scott Downsborough, 53, said he thinks the venue is being "greedy"

A spokesperson for the Piece Hall said its focus was on "welcoming more than 170,000 people into one of the UK’s premier music venues".

They added: "We have made some changes this year as part of our ongoing and continual measures to ensure our customers enjoy the best and safest experience at every show."

They said the venue had been recognised for its "commitment to accessibility".

“Over 34 shows, more people will visit The Piece Hall this summer than virtually every music festival and concert series in the UK”, the spokesperson added.

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