The grand, Grade II*-listed Victorian market in a northern town that is getting a £16.5m million glow-up with space for nearly 90 new pitches

It’s a good time to be in Huddersfield. At the end of 2024, we brought you the news that the city’s train station, one of the most beautiful in the UK, is getting a £70m revamp. Part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, it’s due for completion next year.

Now, Kirklees Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for £16.5m revamp to the historic Huddersfield Market. The proposals were given the green light at a committee meeting on April 16, with the overhaul intended to ensure that the Grade II*-listed site can stay open for longer.

Inside the hall, there will be more than 87 pitches, comprising 75 demountable stalls (which will be around twice the size of the current ones) and a dozen permanent stalls. Outside the hall, there will be accommodation for 52 demountable trader pitches, as well as eight on Brook Street and 28 on Byram Street.

A swish video on the Kirklees Council website promises an attractive community hub that honours the site’s Victorian past while also moving it into the future. Visitors can expect al fresco drinking, a mezzanine floor overlooking the market’s interior and bright, airy walkways ideal for browsing and discovering that one must-have that you never knew you needed.

There’ll even be a stage and screen for performances, as well as updates to make the site more accessible, with ramps, automatic doors, accessible loos and a new Changing Places facility.

No official date has been given for the project’s completion, though a temporary market has also been approved while work gets underway. The temporary market will offer 37 indoor and 29 outdoor stalls, with an extra 28 on Byram Street at busier times.

London-based firm Greig & Stephenson has been appointed to oversee the project. The company is self-described as an ‘Architecture Market Design Specialist’ – just the people for the job, then. Hertfordshire-based construction company Willmott Dixon will carry out the work, while London-based multifaceted professional services company Turner & Townsend will project manage.

Kirklees Council’s executive director for place David Shepherd said: ‘The regeneration of the market is about creating a welcoming space that works for traders, shoppers and visitors. The proposals are designed to help the market respond to changing high street patterns and support activity throughout the week… The proposed multi-use space would allow for a wider range of events, designed to complement daytime trading.

‘The intention is to enhance the overall experience for visitors while continuing to support the market’s role as an important part of the community.’

Huddersfield Market dates back to 1766, when it was a place to sell livestock and agriculture goods. It expanded greatly during the Victorian era, while the current indoor structure was built in the 1970s. The flashy new revamp will continue this history and ensure the city’s good times continue to roll.

Interest piqued by Huddersfield train station? Check out the 12 most beautiful rail hubs in the UK.

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