Chris Simmons has submitted the following information about The Jubilee Café
The premises were built by Nathaniel Bates of William Bates, Son & Company Limited. His wife Harriet initially ran the Café I believe. The Bates company at that time owned Greenup's Mill and associated building behind the Jubilee Café.
Plans were submitted for two shops in January 1906. They may have been replacing existing buildings, but were to stand on the footings of an old engine house. The architect and surveyor was Samuel Wilkinson of Sowerby Bridge.
Electric lighting was installed powered by dynamos from the mill's turbines. The Market opened on Friday 5th July 1907 at noon. It had 23 stalls, with the ability to extend if required. It was open until 8 pm each day and extended on Fridays to 10 pm and on Saturdays to 11 pm.
It also included a 90-foot long rifle range!
The Café was to open a week later. It was out by Webster's of Halifax.
The Rink opened on Thursday 8th April 1909. A licence for billiards, music and dancing was applied for in the name of Harriet Bates in February 1908.
Admission was 6d and Skate Hire 6dChildren: half price
Initial opening times: 10 am-12.30 pm / 2-5.30 pm / 7-10 pm
An orchestra was in attendance in the evenings. The floor was laid with 1000 square feet of American maple.
It could accommodate 250 skaters.
By May 1909, it is stated that there was all day music with electronic orchestration with 12 instruments.
The floor was deemed unsafe in 1913 for unknown reasons. Local memories say it was still a Rink in World War II.
The Café continued with uses for meetings, parties, billiards, wedding receptions, etc.
In 1913, there were 17 tables in the billiard hall.
Harold Holt, Halifax champion billiard player, was the manager of the billiard rooms in September 1914.
It appears the Jubilee Café, Restaurant and Assembly Halls were sold as a going concern in 1916.
During World War II, it was a British Restaurant based in the old roller rink and a store room, redecorated and fitted out for the purpose. It was a large floor space, on one level. Apparently one of the largest ones that officials had seen in the West Riding area. Opened in October 1942. Believed to have a capacity to feed 360 people in one sitting, but also with a cash & carry facility for those who didn't want to stay. Possibly marked for closure around February 1944.
In May 1955, a sale of catering equipment – Café furniture, cutlery & other items – was held.
By the 19060s, the YMCA had taken over the Café for their own use
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