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Original Text (Annotation: EPW057282 / 608447)
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The Piece Hall. This is the country's only remaining intact 'cloth hall' opened in 1779. Before the development of the factory system in the 19th century, local cloth weavers worked in their own homes in the hills and valleys surrounding the town and then, on a weekly basis, took their 'pieces' of finished cloth to the Piece Hall to sell. There they rented rooms around the balconies to display their cloth.
As the cottage system of weaving died off and cloth was, more and more, made in factories, the Piece Hall died off in popularity. In the early 20th century (as in this photo) it was being used as a wholesale fruit and veg market. This continued until the 1960s. In the mid-1970s the unique building was developed by the local council into a retail and tourist attraction with a museum , lots of small retail outlets and an open-air markets. In due course a stage was erected and the hall was used from time to time as an open air concert venue. Sadly, this 1970s attraction was allowed to decline and at present (2013) the hall is once again in a fairly under-used and depressed state awaiting a further renovation in 2014. '