Major 'opportunity’ as string of projects set to be completed in 2026 near Huddersfield Town stadium
The chair of Huddersfield Unlimited has hailed a major opportunity for the town ahead of a string of major projects being completed this year.
Huddersfield Unlimited is an organisation which aims to champion businesses, investors and community in the town of Huddersfield. The group has said it believes that 2026 is the best time to invest “in living memory” in the town.
Several major projects are planned in the town this year, with many concentrated within the half-mile stretch from Huddersfield Railway Station to the Accu Stadium, where Huddersfield Town Football Club’s American owner, Kevin Nagle, has announced plans for a hotel and other developments on and around the 53 acre stadium site
Huddersfield Unlimited’s chairman, Sir John Harman, said: “Huddersfield has a proud identity; we don’t want to be another Leeds or Manchester. Here you can live and work in some of the most stunning countryside in England and yet be connected easily right across the north.
“Here is a real sense of community where you can home your family and grow your career or business. It’s all about opportunity and this town offers great opportunities.”
One of the first major projects will come within the first few months of this year as the second building on the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus open.
The site will be home to a community diagnostic centre for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust including MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-rays.
It will also host a radiography centre on the second floor, dental hygiene and therapy on the third and a health and wellbeing innovation centre on the top floor.
Huddersfield Unlimited said it was urging businesses, especially those in the health and wellbeing centre, to locate to this area of the town, inorder to “tap into” the university’s training and research.
The first phase of the Cultural Heart scheme to transform Huddersfield town centre is also due to open in mid-summer.
The project will see the renovation of the Grade II listed former Queensgate Market into a new food hall and library.
Speaking on the opportunities for the town brought on by the new projects, Sir John added: “Huddersfield is bang in the centre of the north’s economy and whether we are talking about business investment or about leisure or cultural events, that location makes the town a natural destination.
“Huddersfield town centre is being reclaimed as a great place to come for entertainment as well as for work or shopping, along with good quality apartment living.”
Local firm Paxman Coolers is also set to move to a new 27,000 sq ft centre close to the university during the year.
The site will include a new health innovation research and digital manufacturing facility.
An additional £2m investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Industrial Strategy Zone will also support Kirklees Council in partnership with the University of Huddersfield and innovation centre 3M BIC to provide a new business incubator scheme during 2026.
The scheme is designed to help early-stage start-ups to get business support, mentoring, skills and workspace.
Sir John said: “There has never been such a positive time as now for Huddersfield. Everything is set up and ready for businesses to set up or relocate here and they have every incentive to do so.”