KIRKLEES Council is to spend cash boosting town centre shopping – and the Packhorse Centre is to get a major facelift under the proposals.
The council is setting up projects in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury from early next year to try to attract more shoppers into both town centres.
The plans will be revealed in detail to Kirklees Cabinet on December 19 and they will be paid for by money from the Government’s High Street Innovation Fund.
The fund has been made available to local authorities to develop pilot projects with their partners to respond to the growing number of empty shops and the changing face of town centres – and both Huddersfield and Dewsbury have a high number of vacant properties.
A total of £63,000 is proposed for the projects with a further £37,000 available to support new ideas as they arise.
Schemes for Huddersfield include remodelling and rebranding the Packhorse Centre with refurbished entrances, an events programme and creation of a gallery space.
There will also be a ‘Discover Huddersfield’ pilot scheme which will include town trails, revitalising empty spaces with a pop-up information stall supporting events plus inviting young people to develop a viral marketing campaign.
Byram Arcade will be supported with a programme of events and marketing to boost its position as Huddersfield’s centre of independent trading.
And Huddersfield youngsters will have the chance to create a mosaic in the town centre and be encouraged to make suggestions on changes which would increase their use of the town centres in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury.
Pilot schemes for Dewsbury will include creating pop-up restaurants in vacant town centre retail units as well as running two workshops in the town to maximise ideas for the regeneration programme.
Clr Peter McBride, Joint Cabinet member for Investment and Housing, said: “Supporting activities in both Dewsbury and Huddersfield will increase the number of visitors and the amount of time they spend in the towns and this should create the longer term economic benefit.’’
And Clr Cathy Scott, who shares the Investment and Housing portfolio, said: “The activities planned will bring added interest back to the high streets and tempt shoppers and visitors into our town centres and I hope that more suggestions for the future will come out of the workshop events.
“Though the funding available will not make a significant short-term impact on vacancy rates, it can be used for improving shops and floor space, improving perception of the towns, organising new events and activities to attract visitors, plus encouraging private sector investment.”
