News 'Cultural heart of Huddersfield could be ready by 2026'
| Published date | 11 June 2022 |
| Publication title | Huddersfield Daily Examiner |
A combination of new build and refurbishment, the cultural heart will see the creation of a new art gallery, library, events space/multistorey car park and town park, plus the renovation and extension of the existing library building to form a new museum and the formation of a food hall in what is currently Queensgate Market.
Council Leader Shabir Pandor described the plans as "ambitious, visionary and brilliant" and said the culmination of the blueprint would "create 24/7 vibrancy" in Huddersfield that "will go on for decades".
He said the plan represented an opportunity "to shape the town for the future" and urged people to "get behind this".
The council is in the midst of a public consultation on the massive development - the biggest reimagining of the town centre for 50 years. In the drop-in shop on the piazza can be found a 3D model of what the site might look like when it is complete.
However some questions remain. Big-name retailers affected by the demolition work - such as Boots and WH Smith - will be encouraged to relocate to alternative premises in the town centre "but it's a decision for those businesses."
And the much-vaunted Rugby League Museum is still a consideration although neither Clr Pandor nor Mr Shepherd could point to where it might be located on the 3D model.
Mr Shepherd said the council "did not want to be prescriptive" and said it was up to charity Rugby League Cares to engage with the authority "on the space that could be available" within the cultural heart.
The 2,200-capacity events venue with its 300+ space underground car park has been described as a "flexible" space that could "kickstart the town" as a destination for artistes and audiences.
Clr Pandor said it represented "a unique opportunity" for Huddersfield "to be something that other towns don't offer."
He added: "It will put the 'heart' back into the cultural heart."
The venue as planned could be split into two parts in order to host smaller, intimate concerts and other performances. It is not envisaged that it would seek to compete with Leeds Arena or Bradford Live - the former Odeon cinema in the centre of the city.
Instead Clr Pandor likened it to a platform for up-and-coming...
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