Detailed plans published to revitalise town centre market

The latest plans for Dewsbury Market and a new town park have been released by Kirklees Council.

The council wants to improve the traditional market offering, while creating more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events.

Dewsbury’s new market will have a mix of permanent indoor stalls and flexible outdoor stalls, which will be on an open paved area outside the market hall.

This paved area will then extend into a wider public park, with landscaping, artwork and a children’s play area.

As part of the project the historic market hall will be restored to future-proof its glass roof and metal architecture while introducing a more modern look and feel.

Designs for the indoor market feature different flexible spaces, including a big digital screen and a stage to support events. There will be seating on the paved area beyond the market hall.

A council spokesman said: “While the key elements of the town park have been relocated to better complement the market, we’ll still be making improvements to the public realm in the original location suggested for the park – outside the town hall.

“We’re going to plant new trees and install a small amphitheatre, creating another flexible space in a different part of the town centre.

“We’re now going to be keeping the Walsh Building, which is currently home to our Customer Service Centre in Dewsbury, and these plans will improve both its surroundings and accessibility.”

Kirklees Council is carrying out further consultations with Dewsbury Market traders. Once this stage of consultation has finished, the council aims to move stallholders in early 2025 to a temporary market site in the town centre, so construction work can begin.

The project is being paid for by the Government’s Towns Fund and by capital funding from the council.