HCS backing for move to bring National Rugby League Museum to George Hotel

The George Hotel in 1912

The George Hotel, birthplace of rugby league, is to house the sport's first national museum – a decision that has won the support of Huddersfield Civic Society.

Rugby League Cares have forged a partnership with Kirklees Council to bring the attraction to the hotel where clubs met in 1895 to agree a breakaway from the Rugby Football Union.

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Interest in hosting the museum was expressed by several organisations in the North, but the George was chosen following recommendation by an independent selection panel.
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The Grade II listed building was home to a rugby league heritage centre until the hotel closed in 2013. However Kirklees has signed a deal to buy it as part of a plan to make the building a focal point of the town centre redevelopment.

Kirklees Council leader Shabir Pandor said: “This is absolutely fantastic news and we’re really excited to get started and bring Rugby League home.

“We asked our residents what they wanted to see in Huddersfield town centre and one of the most popular answers people gave was to get the George Hotel back open."

Tim Adams, chairman of RL Cares, said: “I am sure everyone in the sport will welcome this decision to establish the National RL Museum at the George Hotel. It will tell the wonderful story of a sport that remains as important to the communities in which it is played as it was in 1895.

“We are looking forward to working with the members and officers of Kirklees Council to develop a museum that will be the envy of sports around the world in a location that means so much to so many people."

Work to renovate the interior and exterior of the hotel is due to begin in the next few weeks.