The Kirklees Cultural Heart scheme aims to breathe new life and activity into the area between Queensgate, King Street and Victoria Lane – currently known as the Piazza.

Overview of buildings making up the Cultural Heart scheme

The ambitious redevelopment plan has been split into two distinct contracts, which will be let as pre-construction services agreements initially to refine designs before moving to full design and build contracts.

Planned new venue and car park designed to host major concerts, live shows, business conferences, trade shows

Zone One, valued at £60m, is the smaller of the two projects and will involve a new multi-purpose entertainment venue, which will have a capacity of up to 2,200 people. Below the venue will be a multi-storey car park with about 350 spaces.

Planned community focussed library with links to new market hall

Zone Two, valued at £105m, will involve refurbishing the historic Queensgate Market and Huddersfield Library buildings for a new food hall and a dedicated museum space, respectively.

A new community-focused library would be developed within a modern extension to the market building, while a new art gallery would be built on Queen Street.

Kirklees Council’s development partners include Turner and Townsend, Queensberry, Feilden Clegg Bradley, Pegasus and Arup.

Queensgate Market building will be refurbished to house a vibrant new food hall

Interested firms have until 30 September to return prequals, with a formal contract expected to be signed at the end of March 2023.

More information is available on the Yortender website.