Huddersfield temporary market plan will keep traders ‘open for business’, says council
The temporary site would be in use while the £16.5m revamp of the Open Market at Northumberland Street is carried out.
Last updated 17 hours ago
Kirklees Council has given an update on its plans for a temporary market in Huddersfield.
The temporary site would be in use while the £16.5m revamp of the Open Market at Northumberland Street is carried out. But this major scheme is yet to secure planning permission, with a decision deferred at a meeting of the District-wide Planning Committee back in January. Here, serious concerns were raised about the council’s consultation with traders and members of the public.
Given the committee’s decision, both the Open Market refurbishment and construction of a temporary market have been put on hold while Kirklees Council works directly with traders to refine the plans. There has been no indication of how long this process will take, but it can’t take too long, as the scheme is being funded by cash secured through the government’s Levelling Up Fund which must be spent by March 2028.
The council has since defended its vision and approach towards the market scheme and has now done the same for the temporary market which would be located on land between the current market on Brook Street and the Tesco car park. It would have up to 37 indoor stalls and 29 outdoor stalls. There is also space for up to 28 additional stalls on Byram Street on busier market days.
The local authority says that the temporary market will allow customers to “carry on browsing and buying from their favourite stalls supporting the livelihoods of traders”. It adds that it would be “impossible” to keep the market hall open during its transformation due to its age, the major repair work required, and the removal of dangerous materials like asbestos and lead paint.
The council also explained that the layout has been designed to maximise the amount of trading space, maintain safe and continued access to Tesco and other neighbouring businesses, and access to the construction site. It would come with public and accessible toilets, a market office and space for other essential facilities.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “The temporary market plan has been carefully thought out with one main goal in mind- we want traders to be able to continue trading whilst we complete the regeneration work on the Grade II listed Huddersfield Market building.
“We know from talking to people how important it is to have a functioning market in the town throughout the development work. The site that was eventually chosen is the largest open space available within the town centre and is closest to the market. This location reduces the impact on traders and on shoppers who are already used to visiting the market in its current location.
“Our markets team have been talking to traders about the proposals throughout the process, and they will keep on talking to them as plans and work progress. Huddersfield’s market deserves to thrive for generations to come, and these plans are key to that future.”