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Work to transform listed market building continues

Spencer Stokes,in Huddersfieldand
Rachel Russell,Yorkshire
News imageCounter Context Construction workers in market hallCounter Context
The revamp of Queensgate market hall into a food hall is part of a wider £250m regeneration

Work is continuing on the first stage of the makeover of a former market in Huddersfield.

The revamp of the Grade II listed Queensgate market hall into a food hall is part of a wider £250m regeneration project for the town centre which will also include a new library, a museum and a live entertainment venue.

The food hall is expected to open next summer, complete with its landmark roof still in place, along with hot food vendors, a bar and a dedicated seating area.

David Shepherd, director of place at Kirklees Council, said he wanted to keep the building's "fantastic parabolic structures".

"I thought we had to do something amazing with this space and really celebrate the architecture," he said.

News imageCounter Context Market hall exterior and building workCounter Context
The former market hall will be turned into a food court as part of the transformation

Along with the food hall, work was also being carried out on a new public square by the town's old 1930s library that would be able to host 3,000 people, Mr Shepherd said.

"The space will be paved. There will be fountains and it will be used for open public events," he explained.

"It will give people somewhere to come and actually enjoy the food hall, along with the museum and the library that's going to be here."

Mr Shepherd said the plan was to have "a community hub, almost, for people to come and enjoy in both the summer and winter".

News imageKirklees Council An artist's impression of the area outside Queensgate market. The market building can be seen in the background. In the foreground is a public square, where people are dancing. There is a yellow gazebo to the far left.Kirklees Council
The council says the plan is to create public spaces that can be enjoyed all year round

Phase 2 of the project would then see work carried out on the shops in the town, Mr Shepherd said.

Despite big names having previously been located there, such as WH Smith, British Home Stores and Superdrug, the building shells are due to be knocked down and replaced with an urban park rather than more retail.

News imageA bearded man wearing glasses and a blue hard hat.
David Shepherd said the plan was to "do something amazing" with the space

Councillor Carole Pattison, leader of Kirklees Council, said the aim of the urban park was to add green space to Huddersfield town centre.

She added that the regeneration work would help secure the town's economic future.

"This is about ensuring the future. If we didn't do that then the whole town centre would die," Ms Pattison said.

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