Huddersfield High Streets Heritage Action Zone

Kirklees Council and Historic England are working in partnership to deliver a High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) at the heart of Huddersfield.

High Streets Heritage Action Zones

Aims of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone

The area around St. George's Square, as well as being one of the town centre's main thoroughfares, is one of the most beautiful in Huddersfield with lots of impressive Victorian architecture. Nearly all the buildings around St. George's Square are listed: the George Hotel, renowned as the birthplace of rugby league, is listed at Grade II; and our Huddersfield Railway Station is listed at Grade I, having been described by poet John Betjeman as 'the most splendid station façade in England'.

At the moment, many of the listed buildings around Huddersfield town centre have seen a decline in footfall over recent years, and are either vacant or underused.

As part of our plan to rejuvenate Huddersfield town centre, we're working with Historic England to breathe new life into this area for future generations - including bringing many of these buildings back into regular use, encouraging footfall, and fuelling local economy and culture.

Area covered

The zone covers the area surrounding St. George's Square.

This will rejuvenate two buildings within the area: the Grade II* listed George Hotel, and the Grade II listed Estate Building on Railway Street and Station Street.

Both these beautiful buildings are currently vacant, so finding a new purpose for them will provide a better welcome into Huddersfield and attract more potential investment.

Boundary map of Huddersfield High Streets Heritage Action Zone

Grants and restoration

The primary funding for this work is coming from a £95million government-funded programme called the High Streets Heritage Action Zones, run by Historic England. £2.1million has been allocated by Historic England.

The project will look holistically at the best ways to rejuvenate the area, and bring the best benefit possible to our local community, whether that's more shops, homes, workplaces or community spaces. And all will be done with a view to restoring these beautiful buildings' historic character as well.

Bringing communities together

As St. George's Square - often referred to as the 'station gateway' - has been the symbolic heart of Huddersfield for almost 200 years, its restoration is a great opportunity to bring the local community together.

Part of this grant money will be used to create and deliver community-led cultural activities in and around St. George's Square over the next three years.

Huddersfield has a rich and diverse community to match its beautifully diverse architecture and history. Our cultural offer is at the heart and soul of our communities, and our local economy. So an exciting programme of cultural events alongside the physical improvements is a key part of bringing people back into the town centre, bringing new life to local businesses and shared spaces.

The Cultural Programme, delivered through a consortium of community organisations, aims to bring communities together and celebrate this diversity with events over the following themes: