New music venue in Shipley to host its first concert tonight
The Kirkgate Centre in Shipley recently underwent a £3m refurbishment
Last updated 24th Oct 2025
A COMMUNITY centre that has been transformed with millions of pounds of regeneration funding will begin hosting live music, with the first concert on Friday.
And with bands from around the UK and abroad booked to play there in the coming months, it is hoped the venue will help put Shipley on the musical map.
The Kirkgate Centre in Shipley recently underwent a £3m refurbishment, mostly paid through the Government’s Shipley Towns Fund, that saw the Victorian building rechristened as the Shipley Sustainable Communities Hub.
As part of the work, a hall in the building has been fitted out so it can be used as a 237-capacity music venue.
The launch weekend for the venue will be this Friday and Saturday, with a packed line up of artists due to perform, including musician and composer Rosie Doonan and “avant funk” artist Hang Linton.
Acts due to appear at the venue next year include LA rockers Faetooth and Employed to Serve, who have played Download festival.
As well as the main room, the centre has spaces that can be used as changing rooms – a rarity for venues of this size, and a separate space that can host smaller scale concerts for around 80 people.
Haydn Britland, who is organising this weekend’s event, said: “There was always the intention of doing live music here.
“We’re going to build it up slowly. We’re letting people know that the venue sounds great and looks great.”
Lighting rigs, acoustic fittings and a stage have made the venue ideal for smaller scale gigs.
The hope is that the more bands that play the centre, the more Shipley becomes an established tour venue, boosting town centre bars and restaurants in the process.
He said: “It is about getting the name out there. We have a US band playing next year.”
Because of the concerts planned for the venue Shipley is now appearing on tour posters along with more established music locations like Sheffield.
As well as being a good location for music fans in Bradford and the wider District, Mr Britland pointed out the proximity to Leeds rail station means the venue is actually easier to get to for people living in Leeds than venues like Brudenell Social Club.
Referring to this weekend’s event, Mr Britland said: “It is the big launch this weekend, there are a lot of people coming down. It’ll get people in here and see the space in action.”
The event will also feature DJs, food and drink.
For more information and tickets visit https://kirkgatecentre.org.uk/kcc-live.html