By Sean Weston
Kirklees Council have launched a Ten Year Vision of Huddersfield to create a thriving, modern-day town centre.
The plan aims to deliver five key objectives for Huddersfield Town centre: a vibrant culture, art, leisure and nightlife offer, thriving businesses, a greater place to live, improved access and enhanced public spaces.
The focus will be on regenerating six key areas: Station Gateway, St Peter’s, Kingsgate and King Street, New Street, the Civic Quarter and a new Cultural Space in the Queensgate and Piazza area, with the focus being not only making Huddersfield a busy family-friendly town centre but to celebrate Huddersfield’s heritage with attractive public spaces surrounding the historic buildings.
Queensgate
As displayed above, Queensgate will become Huddersfield’s new vibrant cultural centre. The new Cultural Space will include a library, art gallery, museum and live music venue in the Piazza and Queensgate area.
The removal of buildings around the Piazza area could create a large family-friendly open space for people to gather, with lawns, water features and seating steps all contributes to making the are more attractive..
Station Gateway: Welcome to Huddersfield
Whilst Huddersfield Railway Station is already a striking place for arrivals, the Trans-Pennine rail upgrade provides opportunities to enhance the station with good quality waiting areas and a choice of eating, drinking and convenience shopping.
Kirklees Council are also committed to seeing that The George Hotel is brought back into use under the ten year vision and will work with the owner to make sure the building reopens to host events.
St. Peter’s
Kirklees Council wants to promote modern co-working spaces and studios within some of our historic buildings. New homes will be built on the old Post Office site and a new food and drink will build on the vibrancy of the area.
Some existing buildings will be converted into co-working spaces that will attract small and attractive businesses.
Kingsgate and Kings Street
Kirklees Council are hoping that the introduction of a new cinema and leisure complex in Kingsgate Shopping Centre will attract more visitors, along with a focus on enhancing access to the streets to pedestrians and cyclists around Kingsgate.
The Council are also looking to improve the public realm and make it high quality and uncluttered.
New Street North
For New Street North, the road at Market Place will be changed so that it will be easier for pedestrians to use. This task will be carried out in order to refresh already pedestrianised areas such as Cloth Hall Street and King Street. New Street South will become a pleasant residential community, with this already taking space in conversation of the Co-operative building into accommodation.
You can find out more about Kirklees Council’s 10 Year Plan at https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/huddersfield-blueprint/index.aspx