WORK to create space for a new retailer at Huddersfield’s Kingsgate centre is under way.
Scaffolding has gone up on the Southgate side of the shopping complex as part of work to knock through two units and add another floor above to fashion retailer H&M’s new store.
The Swedish-owned company, which sells clothes for men, women, teenagers and children, has also begun recruiting to fill about 20 full-time and part-time posts when the store opens this autumn.
Kingsgate owner WD Huddersfield is knocking through units 20 and 20A to provide 7,000sq ft as well as adding a first floor above to provide a further 10,000sq ft for the H&M store.
H&M has taken a 10-year lease at Kingsgate and the arrival of the retailer is considered a coup for the shopping centre.
Elland building firm Marshall Construction is carrying out the work.
Kingsgate centre manager Jonathan Hardy said: “The work is on schedule, helped by the recent good weather.
“By next week, we will have a big tent-like structure on the roof which will ensure the centre is watertight as we take off the roof and break through into level four.”
Mr Hardy said: “We have tried to minimise disruption for people coming into the centre from Shore Head.
“No building work looks pretty, but we are trying to minimise the impact for shoppers.”
Mr Hardy said shoppers had welcomed the imminent arrival of H&M.
“People have said it means they no longer have to go the H&M in Leeds or Manchester,” he said.
“H&M is a ‘destination’ store and it is great to have that in Huddersfield.”
When it opens later this year, H&M will become the third largest store in Kingsgate, complementing existing retailers including House of Fraser, Next, Clintons, New Look, River Island, TK Maxx and Currys.
H&M, standing for Hennes & Mauritz, numbers celebrities Sophie Ellis Bextor and Katherine Jenkins among its high-profile customers.
