'Hall revamp poses substantial risk to market'

A town market could be put at "substantial risk" if plans to revamp its Grade II* listed hall are approved later, a campaigner has said.

Plans to refurbish the hall at Huddersfield Open Market, which will go before Kirklees Council's planning committee, would see the site shut for a minimum of 18 months and replaced by a temporary market whilst closed.

Andrew Wilson, who has campaigned against the proposals, said the plans posed a "substantial risk to the future of one of the most successful parts of Huddersfield town centre".

The plans were deferred in January following objections, and Kirklees Council said further consultation taken place since that meeting.

Wilson, director of West Yorkshire think tank Same Skies, said: "There are going to be a range of effects on the traders.

"The risks involved in tampering with such a successful place - I cannot understand why the council is wanting to take those risks."

Kirklees Council said "targeted trader sessions" had taken place last month, and there was support for the "overall vision" of the refurbishment.

The revamped market would feature 87 stalls, the majority of which would be demountable.

The existing market hall has 126 demountable stalls.

Under the plans, there would also be space for hot food vendors, a bar, dedicated seating area, new mezzanine and glazed screens.

Wilson said he feared the changes could deter trade and suggested alternative market designs.

"Nobody is against changes and everybody is in favour of renovation," he said.

"It is what the council is doing and the consequences of that which we object to.

"People come from all over West Yorkshire and beyond to go to that market.

"[Customers] say if it is not here in its current form [they] will just stop coming."

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