Over the centuries it has been the manufacturing of textiles and confectionery that has brought wealth to Halifax in West Yorkshire. The town’s impressive Grade I listed Piece Hall, built in the eighteenth century, was the place where handloom weavers gathered to sell the woollen cloth they had produced. On a sweeter subject, Halifax was also home to the nineteenth-century confectionery firm Mackintosh’s, famous for chocolates including Quality Street and Rolo. During the 1920s it became known as ‘Toffee Town’.

In A–Z of Halifax local author Trish Colton takes the reader on an engaging tour of the town’s history across the centuries. The book embraces a wide variety of subjects, which will be of interest to both residents and visitors. From the buildings and streets to the famous - and infamous - sons and daughters, this is a fascinating portrait of Halifax, revealing well-known and hidden aspects of its heritage. Discover the road safety invention that was the brainchild of a Halifax man, and learn more about the 900-year-old minster, the industrial heritage, urban regeneration, commerce and culture of this Yorkshire town.