Batley is a town famed for its textile industry heritage, fine Victorian architecture and the golden age of the Variety Club, when worldwide stars such as Louis Armstrong, Shirley Bassey and Roy Orbison came to town.
Now, the redevelopment of some of these crumbling industrial buildings as seen the town build up a reputation as the mill shopping capital of the north, bringing in more visitors and producing financial benefits for the whole community.
Many of these old buildings have also been transformed into trendy apartments which are usually snapped up as soon as they go on sale. Easily reached by road or rail,
being just minutes from the M62 motorway and served by the Leeds to Liverpool rail link, Batley is ideal for commuters who are keen avoid city centre apartment prices. Batley’s new bus station also opened in April, making travelling around the region more convenient and more pleasant. The town has a lively high street with a good range of shops and several supermarkets, including a super-sized Tesco store. With stores selling everything from groceries to DIY products and accessories for the home, you will find everything you need for the weekly shop. The Marketplace is regarded as a wonderful piece of Victorian architecture, with many listed buildings surrounding the cobbled market square, which has a traditional market on Fridays and Saturdays making it the ideal place to buy fresh produce and pick up a bargain. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants and a number of takeaways with something to suit all tastes and budgets On Bradford Road you will find The Mill, a 125,000sq ft shopping complex selling a vast range of quality goods including designer clothing, leisure wear and home furnishings. But it’s not just the shopping that brings people to Batley. Since the days of the Batley Variety Club which is currently enjoying a revival, the town has been famous for its nightlife and things are no different now. Every weekend the Golden Mile - the name given to the popular strip of nightclubs, bars and restaurants, attracts revellers from miles around. And if you fancy soaking up some of Batley’s cultural heritage a visit to Bagshaw Museum, set in the attractive grounds of Wilton Park is the ideal venue for a family day out. |