Huddersfield market revamp set to go millions of pounds over budget
In 2023, Kirklees Council secured £16.5m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to revamp Huddersfield’s Grade II Listed Open Market at Northumberland Street
The cost of the regeneration of Huddersfield Market is set to go over its original budget by several millions of pounds.
In 2023, Kirklees Council secured £16.5m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to revamp Huddersfield’s Grade II Listed Open Market at Northumberland Street. But the latest estimates, according to a report to this week’s Cabinet meeting, show that the project is now set to cost £19.985m – a difference of more than £3.4m.
The report explains that the price hike is due to a “previously unforeseen requirement” for the full replacement of the market’s glazed roof. In addition, the length of time it took to secure planning permission, “enhanced” temporary market arrangements and the vehicle mitigation measures for public safety have all played a role.
Almost £2.8m of the budget gap will be plugged by reallocated funds from the Corporate Landlord Capital Plan (£0.9m), the Dewsbury Riverside project (£1.1m) and the Highways Capital Plan (£0.8m), as was approved by the new Reform Cabinet this week. The Cabinet report says this shift of funds won’t impact budgets or delivery plans in these areas in the current financial year. How the remaining £0.6m gap will be met is currently unclear.
Under the council’s vision, the new open market will have traditional stalls, space for hot food vendors, a bar, and a dedicated seating area. Outside, a new Market Yard will provide space for events, along with demountable stalls. A mezzanine will also be created, and glazed screens will replace the existing security shutters.
But getting planning permission was far from straightforward. The application was met with a mass of opposition from campaigners who believed the council’s approach was not the right way forward. The application was also deferred by the planning committee back in January due to serious concerns over consultation with traders and members of the public, before the green light was finally secured in April.
Kirklees Council has defended its approach throughout the planning process and continues to do so in light of the price increase.
David Shepherd, Executive Director for Place, said: “The plans to revitalise the historic Huddersfield market have been designed to secure its long-term future and respond to changing high street patterns. It builds on the market’s traditional strengths and opening more days of the week and for longer with more events will support more footfall to the market and the wider town centre.
“The project is a key part of the wider regeneration plans for the town centre, which aims to boost footfall and create a more vibrant, varied town centre. It complements the ongoing Our Cultural Heart development, the regeneration of the George Hotel and the TransPennine Rail Upgrade. Together, these schemes will give residents and visitors even more reasons to spend time in Huddersfield.
“It has been agreed to support the Huddersfield Market redevelopment, existing capital resources from the Council’s Capital Plan will be reallocated to the scheme.
“Since the budget was originally agreed for the major transformation of Huddersfield Market, we identified extra work that needs to be carried out as well as an enhanced temporary market for traders and vehicle mitigation measures for public safety. We will amend the council’s investment programme to fund the changes so that we can deliver the highest possible quality scheme for the market.
“We will continue to look at opportunities to secure external funding to support delivery of the scheme. Any additional grant funding or external contributions secured, before expenditure is incurred will be used to help offset forecast cost increases, reducing the call on Council resources and improving the overall affordability of the project.”
Traders have now moved into the temporary market which is located between Brook Street and the Tesco car park in the town centre. The new-look open market is due to re-open in January 2028. The government funds underpinning the vast majority of the scheme must be spent by 2028.