EXAMINER journalist Robert Sutcliffe went on a whistlestop tour of Huddersfield with regeneration chief Clr Peter McBride to look at the town’s future.
That future, Clr McBride feels, lies in the electrification of the TransPennine rail route and in some of Huddersfield’s finest buildings which are currently standing empty.
It may be five or six years away from seeing the huge investment in this crucial rail link bring many more services, and with them people, to the heart of the town.
But that makes it all the more important for planners, businesses and those responsible for the economic development of the town to get together to promote what Huddersfield has to offer.
And that’s quite a lot. You hardly need step much further than the frontage of the railway station to see some of the town’s best assets.
From the ornate Co-op building at one end of New Street to the beautiful Grade II listed, but only partially occupied, Britannia Buildings in the heart of St George’s Square.
Both occupy prime sites but both need work and imagination to make them live up to those prominent places in the town.
And yes there are large, imposing and sadly, all too many empty buildings in our streets. And yes, many are listed which makes potential conversion or refurbishment costs high.
But in tough economic times, new ways of financing and using buildings have to be found.
And where there’s a will, there is sometimes a way. Look at the success of Lindley businessman Ghulam Rasool who spent four years transforming No 44 Westgate into his dream building.
His vision has won him plaudits and awards.
It is that sort of tenacity and determination which is needed to ensure that some of the town’s most important buildings are found new futures in time to capitalise on the rail investment which could just see the character of the area change.
Better rail links have the potential to see Huddersfield become still more attractive to those who work, but don’t want to live, in neighbouring cities. But we won’t get people to invest their lives in our town if we don’t offer something in return. Thinking caps on.
