Kirklees Council has revealed new images – and more details – about a proposed £16.5 million scheme to transform Huddersfield Open Market.

The latest plans seem to have less focus than before on a ‘food hall’ inside the covered market and more on making it a hub for new traders, makers and start-up businesses.

Previously the council said the covered market would be turned into a food hall seating 300 people but the emphasis now seems to be on making it an events space with food stalls around it.

Creating a ‘food hall’ in the open market always seemed at odds with plans – already underway – to turn the former Queensgate Market into a similar venue.

The new concept designs show how the market hall will be transformed and also reveal a Market Yard in Brook Street with a mix of stalls and permanent leased units.

The council says the units – described as “affordable workspace” – will be available for rent to local makers and entrepreneurs starting out in business.

In the centre of the market hall will be a flexible area where stalls can be moved to open up the space for events. There will also be a stage and screen.

The council says events could include more international markets, live music, makers’ markets, community events and celebrations. They could also include workshops and experiences led by stallholders and other local businesses.

 

 

 

Outside the central space, the market hall will also contain free-standing permanent stalls and self-contained commercial spaces along with ample seating and raised mezzanine areas.

There will also be an outdoor market yard, which again will feature demountable stalls allowing the space to be cleared for events.

The council says the new market will provide a lot of support for traders setting up new retail or food businesses. A fully operational kitchen will provide a quality setup for pop-up cafés of all kinds.

Business Kirklees, the council’s economy and growth service, will provide business support to these entrepreneurs via the market, with the aim of nurturing more local businesses to grow and thrive, and drive this value back into the local economy.

The council plans to run a full public consultation on the designs for Huddersfield Market later this year, before which more concept designs will be released.

This consultation will allow members of the public the chance to comment on the plans and give their input, ahead of construction work beginning in 2025.

 

 

Council leader Clr Cathy Scott said: “Across Huddersfield, our plans are to give people more reasons to come to the town centre – and reasons to 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.

“It’s an exciting time for the Huddersfield Blueprint and for the future of Huddersfield.”

The market plan secured ‘levelling up’ funding from the previous government in November 2023 after the scrapping of the Manchester leg of the HS2 high-speed rail link.

There was also to be £48 million for rail improvements to the Penistone Line, which runs through Lockwood, Berry Brow, Honley, Brockholes, Shepley, Stocksmoor and Denby Dale, and £5.6 million for the redevelopment of the derelict Crowther’s Mill in Marsden.

New Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer removed the term ‘levelling up’ from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities saying it was nothing more than a gimmick.

 

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