The success of the new BBC drama Gentleman Jack has had an immediate impact on tourism with visitors jetting in from the United States.

Calderdale Council’s chief executive Robin Tuddenham says in his blog on the authority’s website that the TV show’s success was a “game-changer” for tourism in the borough.

And at Shibden Hall itself – where the programme was filmed – visitor numbers are up a massive 700% “and counting”, he tweeted on social media following a visit to talk to staff and thank them for playing their part in giving good service to visitors.

TV channel HBO began screening the series, which stars Suranne Jones as diarist and heiress Anne Lister of Halifax’s Shibden Hall, in April and US visitors are already arriving in Calderdale to visit it as a result, he says.

Scenes were also filmed in Huddersfield and in last Sunday’s episode Miss Lister arrived in Queen Street, outside the Lawrence Batley Theatre, in a horse-drawn carriage.

Latest figures – showcased at the We Are Calderdale event in March – showed tourism being worth £344 million annually to the borough’s economy, almost £100 million more than it was in 2010.

And in April the council’s Cabinet approved the authority’s Tourism Strategy, recognising it can be harnessed to drive economic growth.

Mr Tuddenham said in his blog that good writing, acting and production work coupled with great locations meant Gentleman Jack had received rave reviews and was the latest screen production to benefit Calderdale tourism.

(Image: www.yorkshire.com)

Other building blocks for increasing tourism success on an international scale included Halifax Piece Hall, which has strong council support, he said.

Hebden Bridge has also been singled out by National Geographic as one of the “coolest” places to visit across the world with West Yorkshire a top destination.

In the case of Gentleman Jack he said: “Whilst it has been filmed in a number of locations, it’s Shibden Hall, and the valley, which shine through.



“The impact has been immediate with tourists arriving from across the pond, and I understand people almost fighting over places on the Anne Lister heritage walks!

“Let’s be clear. This is a game changer, with sustained impact, building upon the Piece Hall effect, with confirmation from the BBC that it will return for a second series.

“The leadership team are working on how we harness this impact across Calderdale, taking tourism and our heritage identity to another level.”

There is a long history of television and film projects using Calderdale locations not least through Gentleman Jack writer Sally Wainwright’s work – her recent successes gentle Last Tango In Halifax and hard-hitting Happy Valley, as well as previous works such as Sparkhouse, have extensively used Calderdale settings showcasing the area to national and international audiences.