Our town’s markets ‘will be smaller’
TRADERS’ FRUSTRATIONS OVER LACK OF PROGRESS AND INFORMATION
PL ANS are progressing to revive declining markets in Huddersfield and Dewsbury – and they’re likely to get smaller.
That’s the advice being given to Kirklees Council by consultants who say the borough’s markets should “evolve” to reflect changing retail habits.
But the council has been criticised for failing to keep residents and traders fully informed about what might happen in the months and years to come.
In requesting an update at a meeting of Kirklees Council in Huddersfield Town Hall on what is planned for the towns, Clr John Taylor said the Labour-run authority lacked a coherent vision.
Clr Taylor (Con, Kirkburton), whose portfolio includes the borough’s markets, said: “We need to be able to articulate what our narrative is, what our ambition is, what our vision for the town centres are and we have not done that.
“We don’t have a coherent vision or plan so that people can see what is planned for Huddersfield and Dewsbury.
“The longer this council continues to not share what their vision is for the future of our town centres, the longer we are going to struggle with this.
“When will we get something in writing that people can see and can understand?”
In response the council’s regeneration champion, Clr Peter McBride, said more substantial details of the authority’s “masterplan” would emerge over the coming months.
He also alluded to changes that might affect Huddersfield’s indoor Queensgate Market and the surrounding area that includes Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery.
“The markets will be smaller,” he said.
“There will be a concentration of provision in the open market in Huddersfield and there will be a major refurbishment in Dewsbury.
“Ultimately we will refurbish the outdoor market (in Huddersfield) but the impact on the indoor market at this stage, I’m not sure. It depends on an investment in that centre which will relate to the library, what we might do about museums and what we might do about the art gallery.
“We are waiting on a determination of an investment in the centre of the town.
“I share with you a frustration waiting for the outcome of where we’re ultimately going to go on this. We’re currently in consultation.
“I assure you I am concerned that we do this speedily because I can see the impact currently on the market.
“All I can say is that this will result in a substantial reinstatement.
“I know that’s not a fully satisfying answer. It isn’t to me. I want to see action taken a lot quicker.”
Consultants Market Place (Europe) Ltd, based in AshtonUnder-Lyne, were paid £40,000 to quiz traders, customers and the wider Dewsbury community on what should be done about the outdoor market.
Their three-month project to gather knowledge on the site and what it offers ended on March 31 this year.