Society applauds Kirklees Council's action on town centre shop fronts

Award winner: Icestone Gelato, John William Street

A proposal to allocate funding for the improvement of shop fronts in the area around St George's Square was agreed this week by Kirklees Council's cabinet.

Huddersfield Civic Society applauds the decision – and we welcome your views on this important topic. An Huddersfield Examiner story on the subject may be found here.

Members have for many years raised concerns about the quality of signage and shop fronts especially along a section of John William Street. They have advocated design guidance to support those wishing to make changes

Civic Society Chairman, David Wyles, said; 'Our Design Awards have not only included a 'Best Shop Front' category but have highlighted poor and often illegal frontages of adjacent properties.

“We have lobbied for enforcement action on the worst offenders but recognise the carrot and stick approach proposed by Kirklees.'

Mr Wyles said that the society had organised workshops to look at issues affecting the town, particularly as towns across the country were having to make radical decisions concerning the future of their centres.

'Owners and tenants of shops and businesses need to appreciate that good design means good business. Visual improvements will not only attract more visitors but more investment' he said.

In the Huddersfield Civic Society Design Awards 2017, the best shop front award was won by Icestone Gelato on John William Street.

The judges said: 'The business is in complete contrast to the many poor shop fronts and often illegal signs along this section of John William Street.

This shop front illustrates how new owners are willing not only to invest in Huddersfield as part of an expanding company portfolio but have done so with brio and flair.

 Icestone Gelato has replaced the former Toni and Guy hairdressing salon within a listed group of buildings that form an architecturally and historically important part of Huddersfield Town Centre Conservation Area. 

The architect has created a contemporary and functional shop window, with a stylish interior, that immediately reflect the products on sale within.

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