Hotel restoration project could receive a further £9.8m
An extra £9.8m could be allocated to support renovation of a prominent Huddersfield hotel.
The Grade II listed George Hotel has been empty since 2013, but was acquired by Kirklees Council four years ago as part of wider plans to transform the town centre.
The restoration project secured £20.2m two years ago, but the council has said it needs more cash because of rising costs and issues found on site.
Kirklees Council’s cabinet will consider the funding plan at a meeting later. If the additional funds are agreed, the money would come out of funding already allocated to Huddersfield regeneration. It would bring the total spent on the hotel to £30m.
The building is scheduled to open in 2027, and will be run by Radisson.
The council said it has explored the possibility of increasing the number of rooms planned from 91 to 108, to bring in more income to repay its investment.
Council leader, Carole Pattison, told the BBC: “The George Hotel plays such a key role in Huddersfield’s past, and for people travelling by rail it will always be one of the very first buildings to welcome you as you enter the town centre.
“Bringing this building back to life is one of our priorities within the Huddersfield Blueprint, and we’re unwavering in that commitment.
“We want the finished hotel to be fantastic, because we know how much it’s loved by local people, and what a great opportunity this presents to boost our local economy and tourism.”
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