Birstall is a very mixed community. The A62 Leeds to Huddersfield road runs straight through the built up area dividing St Peter's Parish from that of St Saviours. At the northern most point is the West Yorkshire Retail Park at Junction 27 of the M62. This boasts many retail stores including IKEA, Boots, Toys R Us, Currys, MFI, Comet etc. There are a number of Restaurants and Fast Food outlets surrounding the massive multi-screen Showcase Cinema. Their is also a Leisure complex and a JJB Sports store. This area is alive both day and night with activity.


To the east of this triangle shaped parish is the 16th century Oakwell Hall set in a country park. This property is maintained by the local authority (Kirklees MC) as a public amenity. The hall is open most days of the year and the park area has pleasant walks and open spaces well used by locals on foot and on horseback.



In the western corner of the parish is the Kalon factory, perhaps the biggest employer which produces Leyland and Johnstone's paints. Much of the carpet and textile industry which had been the main industry of the area has now closed down.


In the centre of Birstall is the Market Place watched over by the statue of Joseph Priestley (the discoverer of Oxygen. There is a weekly open-air market here and various events take place on the cobbled area. Around the Market Place are the local shops and the post office which serve the community.