Grade II and Heritage
Sensitive restoration and refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings
Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Kirklees Council to deliver a transformational refurbishment of Huddersfield Open Market which will see the historic Grade II* Listed Market Hall given a new lease of life for communities and future generations to come.
The Market is undergoing a £16.5m redevelopment project, with Willmott Dixon delivering £14.9m of construction works when the contractor gets underway this month. Completion is scheduled for Spring 2028.
Originally built in 1887, the Market’s history will be honoured, restored and future-proofed. The project will see the creation of a new hospitality offering, comprising a new market café, hot food units, a mezzanine seating area and bar while externally, the market will benefit from timber and cast iron frame repairs, a full re-paint and new curtain walling to replace the existing roller shutters. The adjoining annex building will undergo an internal demolition with a new office for the Market team and public restroom facilities to be installed.
The regeneration will also include essential repairs and restoration, including reinstating its original colour scheme of traditional reds, pinks, and creams, honouring the building’s heritage.
New automated entrances and the addition of accessible WCs, changing places and shower rooms will provide better accessibility.
The new Market will support a vibrant calendar of events with the aim of operating the Market six days a week with an increase in footfall supporting the existing market traders and attracting new trades and visitors.
As part of the works, Willmott Dixon has created a temporary market structure adjacent to the site to accommodate the market traders.
Chris Yates, Yorkshire Director for Willmott Dixon:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Kirklees Council to deliver a transformation of the historic Huddersfield Market. This is an important project for Huddersfield, creating a refreshed market while paying tribute to its proud heritage to allow the Market Hall to continue supporting the town centre and local traders for many years to come. Our project team and local supply chain partners are excited to get formally underway and we’re looking forward to working with the Council, market traders and local community as work continues to progress.”
Cllr John Hardie, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Highways and Transport:
“Regenerating the historic market hall to secure its future, protect its heritage and build on the existing market offer Huddersfield has, is moving to its next exciting stage. People will have seen work take place on preparing the site for the renovation, but they will now see a lot more activity around this beautiful Grade II* listed building.
“The temporary market and stalls are still open as normal offering a range of fresh goods and hidden gems, and our markets team will be continuing to work with traders and customers to support them as we move onto this next phase of work.
“The Huddersfield Market scheme is just one key part of revitalising the town centre as we look to deliver clear benefits for our local communities and people will be able to see the much-loved building carefully restored.”
Huddersfield Market adds to Willmott Dixon’s track record of reimagining town centres with the company currently on site restoring the 90-year-old Capitol Theatre in West Sussex and repurposing the iconic £40m Princes Exchange in Leeds into a new rail industry hub. It recently completed The Seam Digital Campus in Barnsley, creating a new landmark urban park and handed over the new Kirklees District HQ, a flagship heritage restoration and custody suite in Dewsbury.