New scheme to help struggling towns

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet meets on December 19 to look at ways of improving Huddersfield and Dewsbury shopping areas by using the High Street Innovation Fund.

A total of £63,000 is proposed with a further £37,000 available to support ideas as they arise.

A council spokeswoman said: “It is proposed that Dewsbury and Huddersfield are the focus of work through the fund because of their high vacancy rates. The fund has been made available to local authorities to develop pilot projects with their partners to respond to the growing number of empty shops and the changing face of town centres.”

Councillor Peter McBride, joint Cabinet member for investment and housing, said: “Supporting activities in both Dewsbury and Huddersfield will increase the number of visitors and the amount of time they spend in the towns and this should create the longer term economic benefit.”

Councillor Cathy Scott, who shares the portfolio, said the money will “not make a significant short-term impact on vacancy rates” but it would improve shops, people’s “perception of the towns” and encourage private sector investment.

The pilot schemes, the first of which will start in January, include creating pop-up restaurants in vacant town centre retail units in Dewsbury.

The proposals for Huddersfield will help remodel and rebrand the Packhorse Centre with new street works, events, gallery space, and refurbishment of entrances.

A Discover Huddersfield scheme which encourage residents to visit the town centre. Huddersfield’s Byram Arcade will be supported with events to boost its position as a centre of independent trading.