Shop Front Policy

The Society has recenlty begun the development of a Shop Front Policy.

Huddersfield Development Strategy

With the plethera of develoment proposes for Huddersfield, the Society is conserned that there doesnt seam to be an overall plan.

Blue Plaques

In 2002 the Huddersfield Civic Society awarded its first Blue Plaque for a new or restored building of distinction. On that occasion it was for the restoration and redevelopment of an 1840 school as an annex to the Huddersfield Technical College.

The Society has now awarded their second Blue Plaque to Lanson Developments who have completed the restoration of Priestroyd Mills, a former iron works built in 1869 and Grade II Listed. The building in Firth Street, now named '1535 The Melting Point' (to signify the temperature at which iron melts) includes 170 flats, a restaurant and a gym with pool complex. It is part of the first stage in a project to redevelop all the buildings along Firth Street up to Commercial Street.

A third blue plaque was awared to the Huddersfield Technical College new Taylor Hill Annexe housing the Deparment of Horticulture.

The Society is now considering other buildings and would welcome proposals from any source for buildings whether old, restored, converted or brand new.

Car Parking

Kirklees Council has accepted a strategy devised by one of the Society's members for public car parking in the town. Concern remains, however, over the lack of parking provision for the new residential development of old mills in the town.

Railway Warehouse

The Society has been concerned for many years about the fate of the railway warehouse. Fortunately a scheme is being developed which may have more chance of success than its many predecessors.

Greenery

The Society has an ongoing campaign to bring greenery to the Town Centre.

The following are just a few of the many examples where we believe our influence has been successful:

Application for Spot Listing of the Albert Hotel, Victoria Lane, Huddersfield

Grid Reference: SE145165

This hotel, on the corner of Victoria Lane and Albert Yard has closed suddenly without notice and it is feared that its attractive Victorian interior may be destroyed. It is owned by Enterprise Inns, Solihull. Designer: Edward Hughes, who was in practice in Huddersfield between 1871 and 1884. He was also responsible for the Ramsden Building of what is now the University of Huddersfield, Spring Grove School, Springwood, the Midland Bank (demolished) and the Market Hall (demolished).

Construction date: 1879 at a cost of £3000. Initially owned by the Armitage brothers. It replaced an earlier Albert Hotel opened in 1853 which became a warehouse. Adjacent listed buildings are the Town Hall, Library and Art Gallery and the Market Hall (the latter two recently listed).

The hotel is a 4-storey building on a corner site with a narrow main elevation to Victoria Lane and a longer elevation to Albert Yard. To quote 'The Buildings Of Huddersfield' by Keith Gibson and Albert Booth (Tempus, 2005) 'The Albert Hotel is an apparently plain and simple building on a narrow corner plot with mullioned and transomed windows, but it achieves that simplicity through a highly complex piece of design on the upper floors above the corner doorway of the building and by a markedly asymmetric detailed design. It is very difficult to describe the multiple planes of the multifaceted stonework above the corner door where two deeply inset panels create the illusion of a bay window to the canted stonework and windows between. Above this, at eaves level, is a cornice on stone brackets that continues under a dormer window on the Victoria Lane frontage, bur stops short of the larger gable around the corner. The corner of the building is again emphasised by an open stone balustrade parapet detail only above the corner. That includes a substantial and ornate corbelled bracket at the right hand side, but no similar detail on the left.

That asymmetry is further emphasised by a winged figure holding a shield sitting on top of the parapet above the corbelled bracket - presumably not Albert.'

The interior has wood and stained glass partitions and a large marble-topped semi-circular mahogany and etched glass panelled bar which dominates the split-level bar.

The hotel has always played a rich part in the political, social, cultural and sporting life of the town. The Huddersfield Town football club was founded there on 26 June 1908 and in 1920 it was the HQ of the Retention Committee which successfully fought off a move to transfer the club to Leeds.

There have been some notable licensees. William Hardcastle who was licensee in 1908 was instrumental in the establishment of Huddersfield Town football club and later became its chairman. He was also a town councillor. In 1931 Thomas Moran began a family association with the Albert which lasted 54 years and was its longest serving licensee. He had been awarded the MC in the First World War and was a town councillor for many years. When he died in 1956 he was succeeded by his widow Mary who in turn was succeeded in 1962 by her son John who retired in 1985. He was a magistrate, an unusual appointment for a licensee and one which reflected his high standing in the town.

John William Street

Our campaign for more greenery in the town centre began to bear fruit when Kirklees included some trees in its scheme to improve John William Street, which looks more attractive as a consequence. It has also included trees in its scheme to pedestrianise Byram Street.

Tram Shelter

Following the Society's success in persuading Metro to repair rather than replace the old tram shelter in Edgerton Road, research in the Council's minutes revealed that the shelter dates from 1896. It is the only survivor of some 20 built in the town and is almost certainly the only remaining steam tram shelter in the country and possibly in the world. In the light of this the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was requested to consider the shelter for a higher listing grade. It replied that because the windows had been altered at some time in the past it only warranted its current Grade 2 listing.

Conservation

We carried out the spade work leading to the designation of three of the first Conservation Areas in the town.

Waterworks Building in Water Street

We fought for years for the restoration of the Waterworks Building in Water Street and the refurbishment of the handsome Victorian houses in the surrounding streets which the council wanted to demolish. The resultant scheme had been highly praised and won several awards, including the prestigious Europa Nostra.

Queen Hotel

We were instrumental in preventing the demolition of the Queen Hotel in Market Street now largely occupied by the Sole Mio restaurant.

Victoria Tower, Castle Hill

We raised the money to provide the beacon light which can be seen on the Victoria Tower, Castle Hill, and which commemorates the jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.

St George's Square

We prevented the character of St George's Square being spoiled by the demolition of the old Transport Offices at the top of Northumberland Street and its replacement by a modern office block.

Greenhead and Longley Parks

We played a large part in the successful resistance to encroachment on Greenhead and Longley Parks and were responsible for the listing of the fine Victorian bandstand in the former.

Old Yards of Huddersfield

We produced a successful booklet on the Old Yards of Huddersfield. Details of the newly available revised edition are given in Current Issues.

Kirklees MC and University

We work in partnerships with Kirklees MC and the University, holding an annual competition for the architectural students of the latter.

Advertising Posters

Less successful so far was an attempt to discourage advertising posters in public telephone booths. Not only are they an eyesore but the concealment they create goes against our campaign for a safer environment. The promised Government Regulations restricting their use are still awaited.

Other

Other projects we have been associated with include refurbishing the Yards in King Street, renovating the Friendly and Trades building, converting the John William Street building into private flats and planting native trees on the Ring Road, funded by grants obtained by the Society.