A renowned Huddersfield town centre pub is to become an alcohol-free late night community ‘dry’ bar.
The former popular Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender scene New Union Bank pub off New Street, which closed down last month, has been bought by addiction help The Basement Recovery Project which wants to turn it into a pioneering no-alcohol hub for all.
A late night cafe-bar, chill out zones, an IT suite and meeting spaces are just some of the plans for the over 5,000 square foot space spread over three floors.
Stuart Honor, founder of the Halifax-based organisation, and his team hope that it will bring people together from different backgrounds – including those recovering from substance abuse including drugs and alcohol – to create strong community bonds and de-stigmatise addiction.
It will also provide an improved, permanent space for the organisation’s The Corner project – an addiction recovery service – which currently runs from the Sikh Leisure Centre on Prospect Street.
“This will be the first late night community hub of its kind in Huddersfield,” said Stuart.
“People had been coming up to our centre in Halifax, which is very community-orientated, because there wasn’t the same space available in Huddersfield for the same times.
“We got the idea from the success of the Brink dry bar in Liverpool city centre which is run by recovery services too and we hope that it will run seven days a week with the first floor opening hopefully this year.
“That way it will give people from all backgrounds a safe, no alcohol space in the centre to socialise and learn new skills throughout the day and evening.
“We’re inspired to create a big, inclusive and healthy community and get rid of the stigma attached to recovering from addictions.”
The project is being made possible thanks to a £350,000 Public Health England grant and will also be supported by Kirklees Recovery Partnership.
The team had initially gone to look at a nearby property before spotting the pub.
James, one of the project’s recovery workers, described the building was a “great blank canvas.”
He added: “It’s going to be run by staff and volunteers, who will man the cafe which we want to sell nutritious food and drinks. We’ve got a massive kitchen where we want to put on cooking classes to show people how to make healthy meals while helping them, especially those who are disadvantaged, to get training and build up their confidence and self esteem.
“We’ve lots of space so we want people to host groups here and learn other skills.
“Upstairs we even have space for five bedrooms, which we could use for people who need them and we’ve got good relationships with our neighbours which will help a lot.
“It’s a really exciting project which we hope will be a big boost to the town.”
Another meeting will take place between the project’s staff soon.
