On the morning of September 6, 2025, the quiet town of Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire was rocked—quite literally—by an unexpected event. At around 10am, a significant portion of a former Victorian church, now operating as the wedding venue The Monal, suddenly collapsed onto Bradford Road. Miraculously, despite the dramatic scene and the sheer volume of stone and debris that cascaded onto the pavement, no one was seriously injured.
According to Daily Mail and Telegraph & Argus, emergency services responded to the incident with swift efficiency. Police, fire crews, and the highways department from Kirklees Council were all on the scene within minutes, cordoning off the area and closing Bradford Road to traffic and pedestrians. Large blocks of broken stone were strewn across the pavement, a stark reminder of the potential danger that had just been narrowly avoided.
The Monal, which occupies the Grade II-listed building originally constructed as a United Reformed Church between 1857 and 1859 by the noted architectural duo Lockwood and Mawson of Bradford, issued a statement soon after the collapse. In a message posted to their Facebook page and cited by both Daily Mail and Telegraph & Argus, the venue emphasized, "The most important news is that everyone is completely safe." They continued, "Our team is assessing everything to ensure the space remains safe, secure and welcoming for everyone. We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this time."
For those who witnessed the event, the experience was harrowing. One eyewitness recounted to Telegraph & Argus, "The top came crashing down." Another, a mother, commented on social media, "My son could have been killed today. He was right there when it collapsed. He and a lady were covered in rubble and lucky to be alive." The gravity of the situation is clear: had the timing been even slightly different, the consequences could have been tragic.
The building itself holds a storied place in Cleckheaton’s history. First listed in 1982, it was initially known as Providence Place church and later became home to Aakash, once reputed to be one of Britain’s biggest Indian restaurants. Its transformation into The Monal wedding venue added a new chapter to its long legacy, making the collapse all the more poignant for locals who have seen the structure serve the community in various ways over the decades.
West Yorkshire Police provided further details in a statement: "We were called at 10am to reports some of the building had fallen on to the pavement and into the road. The road is now closed." The closure of Bradford Road, a major artery through the town, caused significant disruption, but most residents expressed relief that the incident had not resulted in loss of life or serious injury.
Photographs from the scene, shared widely on social media and news outlets, show the scale of the collapse. The facade of the grand stone structure, which had stood for more than a century and a half, lay in ruins across the pavement. Passersby, some caught on security cameras, can be seen reacting in real time—one individual noticing the tumbling masonry just in time to move out of harm’s way. It’s the kind of close call that leaves a community shaken, but also grateful.
The Monal’s management has been quick to reassure clients and the public. Their statement continued, "We are actively working to resolve the situation and ensure the space remains safe, secure and welcoming for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you all back very soon, insha'Allah (God willing)." While they described the collapse as a "minor incident" in one communication, the images tell a story of significant structural damage and the need for a thorough investigation and repair before the venue can safely reopen.
For now, the priority is ensuring the building’s stability and public safety. The Monal’s team is collaborating with local authorities and structural engineers to assess the extent of the damage. The venue has assured the community that safety is their top concern and that they will not reopen until they are confident that all necessary repairs have been completed.
The collapse comes amid heightened awareness of building safety, especially in older, listed properties. The incident has drawn comparisons to previous near-misses, such as the 2021 event in Izhevsk, Russia, where two women narrowly escaped injury when a balcony facade collapsed above them. While that incident occurred far from Cleckheaton, the parallels are striking: aging structures, unexpected failures, and the ever-present need for vigilance in maintenance and inspection.
Historic England notes that the Grade II-listed status of the Cleckheaton building reflects its architectural and historical significance. Buildings of this grade are recognized for their special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them. However, age and the elements can take their toll, and the collapse has prompted questions about the routine maintenance and inspection regimes for such structures.
Local residents and business owners have expressed both concern and support. Many have fond memories of the building, whether as a place of worship, a celebrated restaurant, or a festive wedding venue. The community’s response has been one of resilience and solidarity, with many offering help and expressing hope for the venue’s swift and safe restoration.
In the days following the collapse, authorities have remained tight-lipped about the precise cause of the incident, pending the results of structural assessments. No further official details have been released, but it’s clear that the focus remains on ensuring public safety, restoring the building, and learning any lessons that might prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, Bradford Road remains closed, and The Monal’s doors are shut as the clean-up and repairs get underway. But the story of Cleckheaton’s former Victorian church is far from over. As the dust settles and the community reflects on a near-miss that could have been much worse, there’s a renewed appreciation for the town’s history—and for the simple good fortune that saw everyone walk away unharmed.
