On a quiet Saturday morning in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, the usual hum of Bradford Road was interrupted by a sudden and dramatic event. At around 10:00 AM on September 6, 2025, part of the facade of a grand Victorian building—once a church, now known as The Monal wedding venue—collapsed onto the street below. Miraculously, no one was hurt. But the sight of massive blocks of stone scattered across the pavement left the community both shaken and deeply relieved.
According to BBC News, police and fire crews rushed to the scene after reports of the collapse. Images quickly circulated on social media, showing the aftermath: large chunks of broken masonry strewn at the bottom of the steps outside The Monal, with sections of the ornate facade missing. The incident was captured on video, revealing a passerby noticing the first signs of falling debris just moments before the building’s stonework crashed to the ground. The footage, as described by the Daily Mail, underscores just how narrowly disaster was averted. One can only imagine the collective sigh of relief when it became clear that everyone had escaped unharmed.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed, “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.” Emergency services quickly secured the area, and Kirklees Highways was tasked with managing the road closure, ensuring that the public remained at a safe distance while the situation was assessed.
The building in question is no ordinary structure. According to Historic England, it was originally constructed between 1857 and 1859 by the renowned Bradford architects Lockwood and Mawson as a United Reformed Church. Known locally as Providence Place church, the two-storey stone edifice has been a fixture of Cleckheaton’s streetscape for well over a century. Its architectural significance was recognized in 1982 when it was officially listed as a Grade II building, a designation reserved for particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Over the decades, the building has seen several transformations. Before becoming The Monal wedding venue, it was famously home to Aakash, which was believed to be one of Britain’s largest Indian restaurants. The grandeur of the former church lent itself well to both purposes, with its imposing columns and intricate stonework providing a dramatic backdrop for celebrations of all kinds. Most recently, The Monal had undertaken a refurbishment of the historic hall, seeking to blend its Victorian heritage with modern amenities for guests.
In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, The Monal sought to reassure the public. In a statement shared with local media and on their social channels, the venue described the event as a “minor incident” at the Grade II listed hall. They emphasized, “The most important news is that everyone is completely safe.” The team added, “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 many in Cleckheaton and beyond, the news that no injuries had occurred was a huge relief. The images—of massive stones lying where people might have been standing just moments earlier—were a stark reminder of how quickly things can change. The building’s recent refurbishment, which had been a point of pride for The Monal, now became a focal point for questions about structural integrity and the challenges of maintaining historic properties.
As reported by The Sun, dramatic footage shows a passerby on their phone spotting the first chunks of masonry falling, seconds before the rest of the facade came crashing down. The quick reactions of those nearby and the timing of the collapse—when few people were on the street—undoubtedly prevented what could have been a much more tragic outcome.
Bradford Road, a key thoroughfare through Cleckheaton, remained closed throughout Saturday afternoon as engineers and safety teams began their assessments. Kirklees Highways coordinated the closure, and local authorities urged residents to avoid the area while the site was made safe. The Monal’s team, meanwhile, promised to keep the community updated, stating, “We are actively working to resolve the situation and restore full operations. We look forward to welcoming you all back very soon, insha’Allah [God willing].”
The incident has sparked renewed discussion about the upkeep of historic buildings, especially those that have been repurposed for modern use. Maintaining the structural integrity of Victorian-era architecture is no small feat, and the balance between preservation and adaptation is delicate. The Monal’s recent refurbishment efforts highlight the ongoing investment required to keep such landmarks both beautiful and safe. While the full details of what caused the collapse are still being investigated, the venue’s proactive response and commitment to safety have been widely acknowledged.
This is not the first time a historic building has made headlines for structural failures. As The Sun noted, a similar incident occurred in Brighton in July, when a large building on Ryde Road collapsed, sending a plume of dust and debris into the air. In that case, as in Cleckheaton, there were no casualties—but the events serve as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in aging infrastructure, particularly as buildings are adapted for new purposes and subjected to changing environmental conditions.
For Cleckheaton, the collapse of part of the former Providence Place church is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience of the community. Residents, business owners, and local officials have rallied together, grateful that the outcome was not worse and determined to see the landmark restored. The Monal’s team, for their part, has pledged transparency and diligence as they work to ensure the venue is safe for future events.
As the dust settles—literally and figuratively—attention now turns to the future of this storied building. In the coming weeks, structural engineers will complete their assessments, and plans for repairs and restoration will take shape. For now, the message from The Monal is clear: safety comes first, and they are eager to welcome guests back as soon as it is possible to do so safely.
In the end, the collapse on Bradford Road has become a moment of reflection for Cleckheaton—a dramatic event that, thankfully, ended without injury, and a reminder of both the fragility and enduring value of the town’s historic landmarks.
