Support for Kirklees Council's proposals to upgrade the Open Market in Brook Street

HCS is broadly supportive of Council proposals to upgrade the Open Market and efforts to secure Heritage Action Zone status for key buildings around St George’s Square.

However, it remains cautious about the viability of moving traders from Queensgate Market.

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As such, we envisage significant challenges in making it a viable location for retailers (particularly since the closure of the nearby Post Office) even if a regular free town bus service were to be operated.

The Society considers there is a need to differentiate between the consistent daily offer at Queensgate Market to those who want a variety of experiences including a food hall, a range of retailers selling artisan/delicatessen foods and speciality goods and events, linked with good short-term parking.

The success of a revived Open Market will also significantly depend on the ability of the Council and others to attract businesses and a range of residential opportunities within the St George’s Square/ Open Market area.
 
To this end, the Society emphasises the urgent need for an action plan to promote commercial and creative developments and residential opportunities, which were largely absent from the original Blueprint proposals. ​

The Society also calls for the Council to consider securing partnership arrangements with potential developers to secure this wider objective. The timing of related elements is crucial to the success of all initiatives.

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