A pioneering healthcare company is planning a move to a new custom-built HQ on the edge of Huddersfield town centre.

Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers Ltd, a global pioneer in scalp cooling to help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, has plans to move to a historic textile mill site.

Family-run Paxman is having a new 27,000 sq ft centre built at J L Brierley Ltd’s Turnbridge Mills site in Quay Street.

The new building, which will involve some demolition, will incorporate a health innovation research and digital manufacturing facility, bespoke cryotherapy research labs, engineering R&D space and offices.

A planning application has been submitted to Kirklees Council and Paxman hope to move in early 2027.

The site is within England’s third HealthTech and Digital Investment Zone and is alongside the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus and Kirklees Council’s Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor.

Paxman has been exploring sites for relocation for some years due to the lack of expansion space at their Fenay Bridge manufacturing premises, whilst J L Brierley has long sought a way of rejuvenating the site following the significant reduction of their textile business over 20 years ago.

This investment will allow Paxman the space to grow its manufacturing output and also help preserve the wider Turnbridge Mills site, which includes grade II-listed buildings.

Paxman CEO Richard Paxman OBE (above) said: “As home-grown Huddersfield businesses, we want to stay and grow within the town and bring the wider benefits to the local economy.

“From an innovation perspective, Paxman is economically embedded in the region via the HealthTech Strategy for West Yorkshire.

“The fact that we are surrounded by some of the best higher education institutions in the North means we have outstanding opportunities for research and development, business growth, skills development and job creation.

“We are more committed than ever before to increasing our presence and investing locally.”

J L Brierley is a family-owned textile manufacturer and merchant which supplies quality yarns primarily to the UK weaving and knitting industries.

Managing director Ian Brierley said: “This project represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Huddersfield’s economy.

“By partnering with Paxman, not only are we investing in the future of our businesses but also in the vitality of our community and town.”

Last month Paxman announced the takeover of its main competitor Dignitana, based in Texas, USA.

Paxman, which is listed on Sweden’s Nasdaq First North Growth Market, is acquiring Dignitana in a deal worth £11.6 million.

Dignitana’s board has recommended that shareholders accept the offer and a deal could be completed in May.

Paxman was founded in 1997 by Glenn Paxman when his wife Sue lost her hair during chemotherapy treatment.

Seeing the trauma that Sue experienced, Glenn realised that there were shortcomings in the existing methods for scalp cooling that needed to be improved, so he developed a liquid-based cooling system with the support of his brother.

Paxman now has around 6,000 systems installed around the world and employs 110 people.

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