Reece Dinsdale: Emmerdale and Coronation Street star backs campaign to save theatre for the arts
A man with a long career in showbusiness with the National Theatre and shows such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street, Reece Dinsdale, is using his connections to save one of the gems of the arts in West Yorkshire.
The award-winning actor, writer and director is bringing together a group of supporters and partners to explore how Halifax’s much-loved Square Chapel Arts Centre can be saved.
Mr Dinsdale, a long-standing patron of Square Chapel Arts Centre, who still lives in his native West Yorkshire, is fronting a renewed effort to secure the future of the venue.
He said: “Square Chapel is far too important to Halifax to simply disappear. It has been an extraordinary home for theatre, film, music, comedy, community groups and emerging talent, and I know how much it means to people across the town and beyond.
“The building is now at a crucial point in its history. It is on the market, so we have to explore every possible avenue and bring together the right people to see whether we can create a viable future for it.”
He is in discussions with a number of individuals and organisations about what can be done to protect the building and create a sustainable future for it.
Among those is Halifax businessman Andrew Hawley, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the construction and built-environment sector.
Mr Dinsdale is also in talks with Anthony Hegney, a Halifax-born businessman who has over three decades of experience in hospitality. Mr Dinsdale and Mr Hawley were among supporters who attended the Save Square Chapel Arts Centre meeting in Halifax.
The development comes at a critical moment for Square Chapel. The Grade II- listed building, which underwent a £6.6m redevelopment in 2017, has been closed to the public since February 2025.
The building is now on the market through Watling Real Estate, following action by Arts Council England (ACE) and the appointment of a Receiver.
The marketing material makes clear that the building is being offered as a whole and that ACE is interested in working with prospective bidders seeking to maintain its cultural use.
The Save Square Chapel campaign has continued to press for the venue to return to community and cultural use. More than 3,000 people signed an Equity petition calling for the venue to be saved.
Mr Dinsdale became a patron of Square Chapel in 2017. His career spans more than four decades as an actor and director, with credits including I.D, Threads, Home to Roost, Spooks, Life on Mars, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
He has an extensive track record in theatre including at The National Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Manchester Royal Exchange.
Other Square Chapel Patrons and famous supporters backing the campaign include: Clio Barnard (film Director) and Ian Puleston-Davies (actor/ director), Natalie Gaivn (actor) and supporters Mark Radcliffe (broadcaster) and Comedian Arthur Smith.
The campaign is also keen to hear from people who could help secure the future of the building.