Video by Historic England about the Upper Westgate Heritage Action Zone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH3xoVJ8U_Q
It is inspiring to hear four people who were involved with the Westgate HAZ project talk so enthusiastically about different aspects of the project. In a YouTube post by Historic England, Andrew Taylor, owner of the Icon Bar (previously Lloyds Bank) describes how the work on the building and other buildings on Westgate has brought back the nightlife. Britt Harwood Conservation Architect at INC. Architecture Ltd. surveyed many of the buildings and was excited to discover the original timber framing of 6 Silver Street (street frontage to the Black Swan). Layla Baker, owner of the Lobby 1867 bar, talks of the discovery of the old awnings on the Unity Hall building and their restoration. Nigel Copsey, Lime Specialist, Earth Stone & Lime Company, explains how a lime plaster mix using hair was used in the restoration of 6 Silver Street to match the original plaster.
The video is a pleasure to watch and helps the viewer to appreciate how the project has benefitted Wakefield.
Wakefield Historical Society researched the historic background to many of the buildings which were included in the project and have produced booklets about their history. https://www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/projects/the-westgate-project/articles-on-westgate-buildings-and-yards/