The next steps for Huddersfield’s Our Cultural Heart have been agreed, though some concerns relating to the proposed new venue linger on.
The venue comes as the fifth and final phase of the project, which includes a multi-storey car park under original plans. This part of the scheme is in the process of undergoing a feasibility study. Initial findings show support for a “flexible, multi-purpose venue”, a council report says, with a capacity of 1,200 when fully seated and 2,000 using a standing floor and seated balcony.
It also states that any car parking provision will need to be separate and self-funding in the interests of affordability and creating the most cost-effective design.
At this week’s Cabinet meeting, Cllr Alison Munro (Lib Dem, Almondbury), asked a couple of questions relating to the venue. The councillor wanted to know whether it would be in “direct conflict” with the Lawrence Batley Theatre.
In response, Cllr Turner said: “The venue which is a number of years away as we know, will be in no direct competition with the Lawrence Batley because the Lawrence Batley has a relatively small seating capacity. The venue will be considerably higher than that so will attract a different type of audience.
“I’ve had many conversations with the Lawrence Batley over this and they are as excited about the Cultural Heart as we are. I believe the venue will compliment them, will bring more people into Huddersfield…”
Councillor Munro also flagged Huddersfield Town Hall as an existing venue with a larger capacity, as well as the public realm that comes as part of the Cultural Heart and could host open air events. She went on to question whether there is a “real need” for the venue and called on the council to reconsider its position.
Councillor Turner referenced the feasibility study which shows a “proven demand” for the proposed type of venue. He said the council had previously looked at using the town hall for more varied events but research had shown it couldn’t be done due to acoustics and layout of the building.
He added: “I believe it [the venue] is still viable, all the evidence points to it still being viable and it’s a really exciting project and we are one of the few local authorities that are prepared to invest in something of this nature…there are very few modern, purpose-built buildings where you can put decent events on anywhere in the country.”
With this week’s approval from Kirklees Council’s Cabinet, the local authority will be bulldozing the remaining retail units at the Piazza “as soon as possible”, once Boots and the other remaining tenants have moved out. The council hopes this will be completed by early 2027, though this could happen sooner if businesses move out earlier than anticipated.
The construction of the urban park, which previously made up Phase Four of the scheme will be brought forward as Phase Three. The original third phase would have made use of a plot at Queen Street, though plans to turn this into a STEM block for Greenhead College fell through.
The future use of the Queen Street plot is still being explored, with its potential use as a multi-storey car park being discussed. However, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Graham Turner, said that nothing has been ruled out, meaning that other suggested uses like a residential development, hotel or offices are still on the table.
The early phases of Our Cultural Heart are still on track, with the latest approval allowing the transformation of the former library at Princess Alexandra Walk into a combined museum and art gallery, along with major improvements to the surrounding public spaces. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026, with doors opening in spring 2029.
Phase One is already well underway, bringing a brand-new library hub, food hall and public square to the town centre, with these facilities due to open next summer. The West Yorkshire Archive will relocate into the library, and a preferred tenant has been identified for the food hall, which the council says will bring a diverse mix of independent food businesses into Huddersfield.
