Plans released for extensive town centre market revamp

Kirklees Council has released fresh designs showing how it plans to make multi-million pound improvements to Huddersfield Market, in Northumberland Street.

It says once these enhancements have been completed, the site will offer a better traditional market, a wider food and drink offering, a more vibrant calendar of events and innovative support for businesses and entrepreneurs.

The proposed market improvements are a key part of the council’s Huddersfield Blueprint plans, which aim to drive more footfall and create a vibrant and varied offering across the town centre.

Once works are complete, there will be a market hall and market yard – internal and external – which will together provide a mix of permanent and temporary market stalls, plus flexible event spaces.

Plenty of seating will be available, including on mezzanine areas.

The outdoor market yard will be surrounded by affordable workspaces for local makers and entrepreneurs, who can then sell their goods on the market itself.

Specific areas of the market will be tailored to the needs of start-ups – including units dedicated to entrepreneurs kickstarting new retail or food businesses. There will be a kitchen designed to provide a quality setup for pop-up cafés.

The council will run a public consultation on its designs for Huddersfield Market later this year.

It explains work on the market will be funded by £16.5m worth of Government investment.

Councillor Cathy Scott, leader of Kirklees Council, 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.

“We hope to see more traders using this market as a springboard, kickstarting new businesses with the potential to grow and succeed, seeing the visions of talented entrepreneurs realised, and driving value right back into our local economy as a bonus.

“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.”