Bid to split Huddersfield town centre into ‘quarters’ launched

Oct 30 2009 By Neil Atkinson

A PLAN to give Huddersfield town centre named quarters has been proposed by a newpressure group.

Town First, a group formed to promote retail in Huddersfield and fight the Asda and Tesco supermarket proposals, says it wants the town centre to improve its identity and be more like Manchester or Leeds.

The group, backed by Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, says the re-branding of the area would help promote tourism and revitalise flagging trade.

The initial idea for the scheme would see a large map installed at St George’s Square with signs dividing Huddersfield town centre into distinct areas such as Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter or Leeds’ upmarket Victoria Quarter.

Town First spokesman, Hugh Goulbourne, said the idea stemmed from a map created for the Great Big Huddersfield Treasure Hunt, an event in July, used to promote shopping in the town.

Mr Goulbourne said they planned to present the idea to Kirklees Council this week.

He said: “When you speak to people outside of Huddersfield they don’t really know what it’s about.