The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge is one of a handfull of community-owned Town Halls in the UK and is a symbol of what a community can do when it pulls together with a common ambition and vision.

Grade 2 listed and dating from 1897, the original council office is a Victorian building with a rich history. The building has had many functions over the years and once was used as the local fire station.

In 2008 the Hebden Bridge Community Association was formed. Through an innovative Asset Transfer Scheme, the community association acquired the council offices from Calderdale Council on a 125 year lease.  The vision was to transform, what was at the time, a barely used building falling into disrepair into a state-of-the-art centre for community and creative enterprise – putting it back at the centre of the town’s civic life as the Town Hall.

The Hebden Bridge Community Association went on to raise £3.7m for a major development to sit alongside and complement the original building.

In 2012, a large new contemporary community and business building was opened offering a range of spaces for community, enterprise and recreational use. The new Town Hall combines a range of services for local people and crucially, creative businesses that reflects the town’s dynamic, independent spirit. Offering state of the art fibre optic wi-fi, a range of office units for businesses, a light and airy cafe and one of the largest conferencing and event venues in the Calder Valley, the new Town Hall buzzes with activity – rightfully taking its place again as the beating heart of Hebden Bridge’s rich community life.

"The Hebden Bridge Arts Festival moved in to the Town Hall 3 years ago and it is the perfect home for us. The Town Hall operates so brilliantly and organically as a community hub - both as a venue and a community connector. There is no event too big or too small for this can do organisation. Everyone is catered for - literally in the wonderfully friendly café - and in the diverse array of events on offer. Drop in on any day of the week and there will be something going on, coming up or people that you know. Business or event, leisure or pleasure, it really is the heart of the local community and has the community at its heart." Helen Meller, Director, Hebden Bridge Arts Festival