THERE is no doubt that Kirklees Council needs to attract new businesses into the area and high hopes are pinned on the ambitious Waterfront Quarter.

The flagship – and some people describe it as looking like a ship – new Kirklees College building is already there.

Forget the criticism of how this building may look. Many of the college’s current buildings are no longer fit for purpose and the students of the future – the people who will be employed in this area in the years to come – need a far better building and facilities to bring the best out in them.

Now there is outline planning permission for more than 190,000sq ft of office space across four building plots on the site and it is billed as offering ‘fantastic’ opportunities for investors, developers, businesses and other organisations.

The council certainly has its critics but it must do all it can – and be publicly seen to do all it can – to bring investment and jobs into this area.

No doubt there will be a lot of work going on behind the scenes to attract businesses here and officials will be fully aware of the quality of business space and incentives on offer in neighbouring council areas.

Unless we attract more businesses into Huddersfield to boost our economy and provide long-term employment the current bleak present may become a bleak future.

And no-one wants that.