By Greg Dawson
Shop owners and traders in Huddersfield town centre have been invited to sign up to a £1.2 million transformation scheme to improve the look of the shop fronts in the town centre.
The Regeneration project aims to revamp the unsightly shop fronts and find uses for the upper floors in buildings around Huddersfield centre.
The first phase of this project has begun, with letters being sent to businesses on John William Street on Friday 14th of June offering grants for work to be carried out on the buildings.
Cllr Peter Mcbride, Cabinet Member for Economy, believes the investment will make Huddersfield a more attractive town centre and through that help the local economy
He said: “John William Street is a key route into town. It has many listed buildings and over time has been subject to a lot of property changes, which have negatively impacted on the appearance of the street.
“Research has shown that more traditional-looking shop frontages improve the shopping experience and are more likely to increase footfall and spending.
“Buildings in this particular area of Huddersfield town centre are listed and the council, as well as those occupying the buildings, has a duty to ensure heritage is protected.”