Temporary market opens while historic site restored

A temporary market has opened to cater for traders and customers in Huddersfield while the Grade II* listed original is closed for a £16.5m refurbishment.

The site, near the original Huddersfield Open Market on Brook Street, will be open for nearly 18 months while work takes place.

Kirklees Council said the temporary market would hold 66 outdoor and indoor stalls, with further overspill space available on busy days.

The council approved the project at the market, which has served shoppers since 1888, despite calls from campaigners arguing the overhaul could deter trade.

Andrew Wilson, who has campaigned against the proposals, said the scheme posed a "substantial risk to the future of one of the most successful parts of Huddersfield town centre".

Wilson, director of West Yorkshire think tank Same Skies, said he feared the changes could threaten trade.

"Nobody is against changes and everybody is in favour of renovation," he said.

"It is what the council is doing and the consequences of that which we object to.

"[Customers] say if it is not here in its current form [they] will just stop coming."

Speaking in January, market trader Alex Metrick said the plans would "damage" traders and ultimately "kill one of the UK's best markets".

Meanwhile, Jeff Needham, who runs Huddersfield Auto Jumble, said the market did not need "radical redesign".

"It needs basic care, a repaired roof, better toilets, paint and proper maintenance," he said.

Plans to revamp the original market were unanimously deferred by Kirklees Council in January to allow more time to debate.

According to the council, the new market hall would have more than 87 pitches, including 12 larger permanent stalls and 75 demountable stalls for market days.

The temporary stalls would be larger than previous ones to allow traders greater flexibility to trade, the council said.

The redevelopment is financed by the government's Levelling Up Fund and must be completed by 31 March 2028 under the funding conditions.

David Shepard, who holds overall responsibility for homes and neighbourhoods at Kirklees Council, said the opening of the temporary market was a step in the right direction.

"We know how important it is to maintain a market presence in the town and the temporary market allows us to do this and its location makes sure there is a familiarity for customers and visitors," he said.

Shepard added work on the original 1888 market would "secure its future" and "protect its heritage".

Hoarding has been installed around the perimeter of the Grade II* listed market hall to separate construction work from the public and temporary market.

The main hall work would see essential repairs and restoration of the market's decorative cast-iron frame and roof, bringing back its original colour scheme of traditional reds, pinks and creams, the council said.

The work also aims to make the hall more accessible, with the installation of ramps, automatic doors and accessible toilets.

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