Kirklees Council has approved a grant of £610,500 to replace ‘unsightly’ shop fronts on listed buildings on John William Street in Huddersfield town centre.

Seven shopfronts either side of Byram Court, including Top News and Supersam, are to be removed and replaced with ‘traditional’ designs, said to be more in-keeping with the history and heritage of the street.

The council’s Cabinet agreed to give the owner of the three-storey block, B&M Properties, a grant of £610,500 – around 80% of the total cost – to improve the look of what it says is “one of the town’s most prominent gateways” leading from St George’s Square.

As well as the shopfronts, there will be work on the stone frontages above too.

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for regeneration, told the Cabinet meeting: “It’s important that we do all we can to enhance the look of our listed buildings and protect them for future generations.”

Planning permission and listed building consent has already been given and work could start in February and be finished in September 2024.

Find out more about the details and conditions of the grant HERE