A unique business specialising in interpretation design services for visitor attractions has relocated its studio headquarters to Dean Clough in Halifax, enhancing the cultural business ecosystem at the expansive, award-winning destination.
Introduction to The Creative Core’s New Location
The Creative Core, established in 2010, has moved into a 1,500 sq ft unit within the historic F Mill at Dean Clough. The team of twelve has relocated from Huddersfield to this new site, while their bespoke joinery business, employing an additional 30 people, remains in Boothtown.
The company provides specialist interpretation design services for museums, heritage sites, libraries, and cultural attractions. Their impressive client list includes the National Trust, the Science Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru, and the RNLI, along with local clients such as the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, Bolton Art Gallery, Library & Museum, and the Peace Museum in Bradford.
Dean Clough: A Hub for Cultural and Business Excellence
Nichola Ward, Creative Director at The Creative Core, emphasized the strategic choice of Dean Clough as their new headquarters. The location is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, hosting a mix of galleries, a theatre, art houses, and design businesses. This environment aligns perfectly with The Creative Core’s services and ethos, providing a legacy of industrial heritage and innovation that enhances their client experience. Dean Clough’s accessibility, amenities, and team support were crucial factors in their decision to relocate.
Jeremy Hall, Chairman and Managing Director of Dean Clough, expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming The Creative Core to their community. He highlighted the synergy between The Creative Core’s innovative business model and the existing design-oriented enterprises at Dean Clough. For over 40 years, Dean Clough has focused on placemaking, creating an attractive destination for business enterprises alongside diverse cultural experiences. The sustainable practice of repurposing historic buildings adds to the site’s appeal for business occupiers.
Recent Accolades and Cultural Contributions
Dean Clough recently received the prestigious ‘Development of the Year’ award at the 2024 Placemaking Awards, solidifying its status as one of Yorkshire’s leading centres for arts and culture. The complex supports commercial enterprise, educational practice, public engagement, and innovation across a wide spectrum.
Home to the Arts Charity at Dean Clough (ACDC), which also won a Placemaking award, the site fosters inclusive arts, business, and education programs. Dean Clough houses a unique subterranean theatre, the renowned Northern Broadsides theatre company, and one of the largest private art collections in the UK, with exhibitions free to the public across six galleries.
Expanding the Cultural Landscape
Dean Clough’s role as a cultural hub was further highlighted by its selection as the venue for the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) finale, marking its first venture outside London. BUFF will return to Dean Clough for another awards ceremony and short film screenings.0
The site also hosts the Square Lens Alliance meetings, the Halifax Philharmonic Club season, and has been a filming location for award-winning TV and film productions, including “Happy Valley,” “The Gallows Pole,” and Marvel’s “Secret Invasion.” These contributions reinforce the region’s “Culturedale” label.
Continued Growth and Development
Dean Clough is home to approximately 150 organizations, employing over 3,000 people. In the past 18 months, new deals have been secured for over 110,000 sq ft of space, with another 110,000 sq ft of work, office, and leisure space under discussion.
Notable developments include Calderdale College’s 12,835 sq ft Mill Studios, a state-of-the-art digital creative skills hub. The continued investment in renovating historic mill spaces has also attracted various restaurants, bars, leisure venues, and independent retail operators offering beauty, health, wellbeing, and home furnishings.
Accessible and Sustainable Workspace Solutions
Dean Clough offers energy-efficient Grade A workspaces up to 50,000 sq ft, along with serviced offices and retail units starting at 50 sq ft. Conveniently located on the edge of Halifax town centre, the site provides excellent transport links, being just 15 minutes from the M62 and offering direct train connections to Leeds, Manchester, York, and London. This accessibility, combined with the site’s rich cultural and business offerings, makes Dean Clough an ideal location for enterprises seeking a dynamic and sustainable work environment.
