By Elizabeth Dede – 

Traders will move into fully fitted units with mentoring and business support when the Food Hall opens in 2027, and the council is keen to hear from people with a strong idea but no restaurant yet.

Kirklees Council is looking for food and drink businesses to trade at Huddersfield’s new Food Hall, from established independents with a loyal following to start-ups with a bold new concept.

The Food Hall is set to open in 2027 as part of Our Cultural Heart, alongside the new Library Hub and Queensgate Square.

The council wants a diverse mix of traders that reflects the people and flavours of Kirklees and gives visitors reasons to come back.

Fully fitted units to cut start-up costs

The Food Hall has been designed to reduce the large upfront investment that usually comes with taking on a new food venue.

Each trader outlet will be fully fitted out with cookline equipment and extraction, cold storage, wash-up facilities and back-of-house storage.

Traders will also receive operational support, ongoing mentoring and help with business development.

Food and hospitality specialists JT & Crew are working with the council to choose the right mix of businesses and will support traders in the run-up to opening.

Room for new talent

Applicants do not need an existing restaurant or established business to be considered.

The council is actively encouraging start-ups and emerging businesses to come forward. It will focus on a strong food concept, the skills to deliver it and the ambition to build a successful venture.

Traders with a distinct identity and an exciting, inclusive food offer are being sought, along with those who understand that collaboration will be key to the Food Hall’s success.

What the council is looking for

Alongside great food, the council wants businesses that understand their customers and have the potential to grow.

It is particularly keen to hear from traders who share its ambitions around responsible and sustainable business, fair employment and creating local opportunities.

Businesses that want to be part of a supportive community of traders, rather than simply operating side by side, are also encouraged to apply.

A springboard for local businesses

Jeremy Taylor, Director at JT & Crew, said the Food Hall had been built to give local operators a stage.

“We’re now entering one of the most exciting phases of the Our Cultural Heart Food Hall project – the search for Kirklees’ boldest food talent,” he said.

“Huddersfield’s new Food Hall has been built as a genuine springboard for local businesses, with fully fitted units, hands-on mentoring, operational guidance and a management team committed to helping traders thrive.

“We’re looking for operators with bold flavours, strong identities and concepts that deserve a stage. This Expression of Interest is about finding those people and giving them the platform, support and environment to grow. Huddersfield’s new Food Hall is ready for the district’s best.”

Council wants to hear bold ideas

Councillor John Hardie, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Highways and Transport, said the traders would shape what the Food Hall becomes.

“Traders will ultimately make the Food Hall what it is, so finding the right mix of businesses is one of the most important parts of this next stage,” he said.

“Kirklees has some fantastic independent food businesses and talented people with ideas they may not yet have had the opportunity to take to the next level. We want to hear from both.

“We’ve deliberately looked at how we can remove some of the barriers that can make taking on a new food venue difficult. The outlets will already have the key equipment in place and traders will have specialist support available to them, including after the Food Hall opens.

“We’re looking for great food, strong ideas and people who want to be part of something collaborative. If you have a food business or an idea you think people in Huddersfield need to taste, we’d love to hear from you.”

Food businesses interested in a place at the Food Hall can complete the council’s Expression of Interest form. The Food Hall’s new name and identity are due to be revealed in the coming weeks.