By KLTV Newsdesk
Work on one significant Huddersfield Blueprint project has begun this week, with the council preparing Huddersfield’s famous George Hotel for renovation, as they put up hoardings around the site.
The installation of hoardings, which generally keep the public out the way of any dangerous building sites, began today on the 19 October.
This will be followed by the first phase of works taking place on the Grade 2 listed building. They will include the removal of asbestos and work to make sure the building is safe and watertight.
The work marks the start of promised renovations for the iconic hotel, which is set to become a new National Rugby League Museum.
The George Hotel was bought by the council earlier this year, and forms one of the pillars of their 10-year town centre rejuvenation project.
Cllr Peter Mcbride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “The George Hotel remains one of our most important heritage buildings and a significant part of the Huddersfield Blueprint. Carrying out these initial works will help us to protect it for the future.
“We will be working with the New National Rugby League Museum’s Shadow board to deliver our ambition to bring Rugby League home. We want to make sure this building is in the best possible state to honour one of the country’s favourite sports and play homage to the place it all began.
“Bringing the George back into use will not only help preserve part of rugby league history, but also provide opportunities for increased footfall in the town. We are sure to attract rugby fans from across the country and even the world.
The project to restore the building to its former glory has received grant funding of £2 million from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone fund, and £1.4 million in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Additional funding will come from the council as part of its £100 Milion investment in the Huddersfield and Dewsbury Blueprints, which recently got the green light.