Council deal to buy rugby league’s birthplace gets over the line

Kirklees Council has agreed a deal to buy Huddersfield’s George Hotel – taking another step towards delivering the £250m Blueprint Vision for the town centre.

The Grade II-listed George Hotel is famous for being the birthplace of rugby league in 1895. The hotel was built in 1851 and closed in January 2013.

When Kirklees Council launched its Huddersfield Blueprint vision in June 2019 it included an ambition to bring the building back into use.

Discussions have been ongoing between the owner of the building and an agreement has now been reached for Kirklees to purchase it.

The council says it is now exploring a number of different options for the use of the building to make it a key part of a future thriving Huddersfield Town Centre.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “When we launched the Huddersfield Blueprint, we said we were committed to get the George Hotel back open and this shows just how serious we are.

“The George Hotel is much more than a building to people in Huddersfield and to rugby league fans. It’s a proud part of our history and we want to make sure it is also part of our exciting future.

“It wouldn’t feel right for so much investment and regeneration to come to the town centre whilst such a popular building stays closed. So agreeing to purchase it is the right thing to do.

“This is another exciting step forward towards delivering our Blueprint vision.”

Cllr Peter McBride, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The historic significance of this building means this is something we absolutely have to do. By purchasing the George Hotel we can make sure it has a permanent place in our plans for Huddersfield Town Centre.

“It also sits in St George’s Square which is a key entrance to Huddersfield for thousands of people every day using the railway station.

“The George Hotel will be part of a revitalised St George’s Square which will include a revamped railway station, an improved public space and more of our heritage buildings being brought back into use.

“We’re now in the process of exploring a number of different future uses for the building. We have to take our time to make sure we get this absolutely right.”