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WHY MORE AND MORE PEOPLE – INCLUDING A-LIST FILM STARS – ARE COMING TO ONE PARTICULAR PART OF HUDDERSFIELD 5
SANDWICHED between the M62 and the centre of Huddersfield, Birchencliffe is a well-connected and busy part of the town.
But if you don’t live or work in the area, you could be forgiven for passing through its heart without paying it much attention.
That is something Birchencliffe residents acknowledge, but say should change.
New-build homes are springing up across the suburb, with a number of new estates in the process of being built. One estate agent working in the area says house prices in Birchencliffe have rocketed over the past months.
And this small part of Huddersfield also recently welcomed Hollywood royalty. Samuel L Jackson paid a visit to the Da Sandro restaurant during his stay in the town as he took part in filming for a new Marvel series.
Claire Ramsbottom, of Peter David Properties, has worked in Birchencliffe for three years.
She estimates the price of a typical home in the suburb has shot up by around £60,000 during that time.
“If we get any houses up here, they fly off,” she told The Examiner. “We have the new development at the top of the road and there is a lot of interest in properties up there.”
Pointing to the surrounding streets, Claire said: “There are some really nice semi-detached homes; it is just a nice area, really close to the M62.
“Lindley is really popular too and that is still walking distance away. Houses are not quite as expensive as central Lindley, but it is still really popular here.”
Claire revealed a lot of people who live and work in Manchester are ditching the busy city for Birchencliffe due to the roughly hour-long commute.
“Manchester is so expensive to live in,” she said. “You get a lot more for your money here than you would over there”.
Claire said the estate agent’s location, on the side of the busy Halifax Road, is perfect for business.
“Once they know we are here it is quite obvious, but we do get a lot of footfall here because of Greggs and Tesco next door,” she said.
“We get a lot of cars driving past and we have seen an increase in the number of customers coming through the door.”
Enrico Deriu is the restaurant manager at the ever-popular Da Sandro on Halifax Road.
He described Birchencliffe as a beautiful area and said the restaurant’s growing reputation draws in people from across the country.
“Our secret is fresh food, people keep coming back. People come from Manchester and Leeds because we are so close to the motorway,” he said.
Describing the area, Enrico said: “It is more popular now, there are a lot of new buildings about – it is a good area. The houses cost quite a lot and we get big families here.”
Diners and staff at Da Sandro were left amazed when Samuel L Jackson walked through the doors of the restaurant in January and casually asked for a table for seven.
He was seated at the back of the restaurant, as he had not booked in advance, and was immediately recognised by another diner.
Enrico said: “He did not say he was coming and just walked through. A customer recognised him so one of my waiters went to ask if it was him.
“He said ‘yes’ but that he did not want to be disturbed while he was eating. He said that, after the food, we could have a nice talk.
“He really enjoyed the food. He had a steak with veg – he said it was all good. A lot of people come here; Huddersfield Town players come here to eat.”
Wendy Armstrong has worked as a team leader at St Phillip’s community centre for more than ten years and helps to run a holiday and after-school club for children.
“We have loads of parents who ring up who want to use the facilities – it is well received,” she told The Examiner. “When it comes to holidays, and parents are working, it is nice for them to have somewhere to send their kids. It is a very rewarding
job.”
Sarah Gerrard works as a sales marketing manager at Briar Court Hotel on Halifax Road. She said the hotel tends to get a lot of “passing trade”.
“Some people stay for leisure and some may come for a wedding. People travel from down south to come and visit their family and friends,” she said. “We do get a few local people staying, but not many.”
There are some really nice semi-detached homes. It is just a nice area close to the M62