New plans have been unveiled for the future of the Packhorse Centre.

Independent traders will be at the heart of the town centre site when it relaunches in November with longer opening hours as a “champion” of local and regional shops.

And some traders who will fill over 15 units have already been named as part of centre owners New River Retail £2m drive to turn the fortunes of the centre around.

Eighty-seater Chinese restaurant Rivers and a two-level bar with an outdoor terrace are being fitted out and are expected to open at the end of November on Kirkgate in the former bargain Superstore shop.

Site of Rivers Chinese restaurant plus bar with outdoor terrace in revamped Packhorse Centre
Site of Rivers Chinese restaurant plus bar with outdoor terrace in revamped Packhorse Centre

Chinese Buffet, with space for 250 people, will open simultaneously in part of the old Peters department store on King Street along with the first-floor 120-seater Packhorse Kitchen.

That will be home to three local food vendors, who will change regularly, along with a permanent craft beer outlet and three chain fast food outlets: Burger King, Roosters Piri Piri and Mexican El Taco Loco.

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Opening times will be from breakfast to initially 7pm but may increase if there is demand.

Access will be by stairs leading to the old first floor Packhorse Gallery, which has temporarily moved downstairs and will be permanently relocated in the centre, along with a lift.

An artist's impression showing how the revamped Packhorse Centre in Huddersfield could look.

Meanwhile some of the empty units, one of which will be created by the relocation of jewellers Warren James to another section of the former Peters unit, are beginning to be filled with independents.

These include fairtrade clothing shop Patchouli Haze and formerly Linthwaite-based and award-winning Dama Cheese, whose owner Razan Alsous will open a vegetarian and vegan friendly deli.

Artist's impression of the new look food court area at Packhorse Centre
Artist's impression of the new look food court area at Packhorse Centre

Paul Wright, director of New River Retail, which began the redevelopment last year, said: “We are the third shopping centre in Huddersfield after Kingsgate and The PIazza and decided that we want to be more specialist by championing local and regional traders to bring something different to the town.

“We wanted to respond to the demand for shopping centres to offer a fuller experience by offering food and drink, which we hope will give people a fun time while driving town centre regeneration simultaneously.

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“With the help of Huddersfield entrepreneur Kate Hardcastle (who heads Holywell Green-based business transformation company Insight with Passion) we have changed our branding and will be redecorating the interior and installing an entrance sign on the King Street side, which will put us back on the map.

An artist's impression showing how the revamped Packhorse Centre in Huddersfield could look.

“We want the inside space to be for specialist shops and since the recession, rents have halved which we hope will attract new businesses.”

Paul and his team will celebrate the town’s heritage.

“We want to change the name of Market Walk to its old name Wappy Nick, while putting up information to remind people of its history.

“We also have plans to work with the Textile Centre because it’s an industry that we should be proud of.”

David Heathcote, manager of the Packhorse Centre, welcomed the changes.

Pack Horse Centre Manager David Heathcote-Smith (right) and colleagues Lucy Mitchell, Paul Wright and Matt Johnson with the centre's new branding

“It’s fantastic to have an owner doing something with the centre. It had a bit of a refit in 2007 but this is something else and it’s really good news for the town.

“We’re trying to bring back all space in Packhorse Centre into use and demonstrate that we are here to stay.”

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