A variety of stall styles will be introduced. Credit: Kirklees Council

Visuals released for Huddersfield Market overhaul

23 July 2024 11:04 Neil Tague Comments (0)

Looking tp put £16.5m government funding to work, Kirklees Council has published fresh images of what it describes as a key part of the Huddersfield Blueprint programme.

The local authority said that Huddersfield Market will “provide an even better traditional market, with a better food and drink offering to complement what’s going on in the surrounding area. It’ll have a more vibrant calendar of events. And it’ll have more fresh and innovative support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, which should drive economic growth for the town centre.”

These are just taster images, with a full consultation process to follow later this year.

Work on the Northumberland Street market will back up the redevelopment of Queensgate Market and Huddersfield Library in phase one of the town’s Our Cultural Heart project.

BAM is the contractor for this phase, which will see a food hall, museum and gallery brought forward. Queensberry is development manager.

The work will also tie in with neighbouring blueprint projects, such as the improvements to New Street and St. Peter’s Gardens.

Space for ‘makers and entrepreneurs’ will surround the market. Credit: Kirklees Council

Kirklees said that there will be a market hall and market yard – internal and external, together providing a mix of permanent and temporary market stalls, plus flexible spaces for events.

One of those flexible areas will be at the centre of the market hall, where stalls can make way to open up the space. There will also be a stage and screen to support the use of this space as an events venue.

The market hall will have free-standing permanent stalls and self-contained commercial spaces. There will be seating and mezzanine areas. The market yard will be surrounded by affordable workspaces for local makers and entrepreneurs.

Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Cathy Scott, said: “Right across Huddersfield, our plans are to give people more reasons to come to the town centre – and reasons stay for longer periods of time. What we’re creating here is not just a better, more vibrant traditional market for Huddersfield but also a place the local community can come together.

“We also want Huddersfield to be a place where businesses can really thrive. Through this market we’ll be giving local entrepreneurs access to workspaces, equipment, business support and, above all, opportunities that can help get new businesses off the ground.”

The leader concluded: “By the time we consult on all these plans later this year, we’ll be able to share more concept designs and more about how the market – particularly its versatility to support an eclectic events calendar – will run once completed. It’s an exciting time for the Huddersfield Blueprint, and for the future of Huddersfield.”