Shoppers say they will continue visiting Huddersfield town centre but are becoming increasingly worried about its future due to the number of empty units and recent business closures.
On Sunday, shoppers spoke about what they love about the town centre and what they would like to see happen in 2025 and beyond. Some said they would love to see more family-friendly entertainment, while others said they wanted to see fewer To Let signs and more action to tackle anti-social behaviour and begging.
Peter Wilson, 62, from Berry Brow, Huddersfield, thinks that the town centre’s best years as a retail destination are in the past and he admitted being ‘cynical’ about it.
He visits the town centre every week, is a shopper at Lidl and B&M, and might grab at coffee in a Wetherspoons bar, but he thinks the ‘shopping side’ of town has a bleak outlook.
Shoppers said they liked to visit Turntable Coffee and Vinyl, an independent cafe in Huddersfield town centre
(Image: Yorkshire Live)
Peter is, however, optimistic that town centre regeneration schemes will improve the library and the former Queensgate market, although he is dismissive of any talk of shopping improvements in general. He has seen how the town centre has changed over the years and does not mince his words, saying: “It thoroughly depresses me. People of my age, if they are truly honest, they would say the same.”
He added: “I am just dismissing the retail side of Huddersfield,” he said. “It’s never to be seen again.”
Peter thinks some of the town centre buildings could be used for housing, rather than retail. And other buildings dating from the 1960s could be demolished. “The end of New Street and the civic centre could come down. It should all be green space.”
He added: “I am definitely cynical – life is so much easier when you are cynical.”
Peter thinks there are plenty of nail bars and hairdressers/barbers and charity shops. “If you want your hair or nails done, you are quids in.”
He adds: “I have nothing against charity shops; there must be 10 or 12 of them.”
Beth and Amy, two young women from Halifax, said they liked shopping in Huddersfield town centre more than their hometown.
They had paid £2.20 to park at the bus station which they thought good value. Beth said: “It (Huddersfield town centre) looks a bit run down but it’s better than Halifax for shopping.”
Beth and Amy enjoy visiting Primark on New Street and were in town to buy children’s clothes.
Kevin, 64, from Fartown, Huddersfield, said he rated Turntable Coffee and Vinyl, an independent coffee shop and cafe which is situated in New Street. However, he says too many ‘good shops’ had closed which he thinks might be due to rents being too high.
Peter Wilson fears for the future of Huddersfield town centre
Carl Morris, from Huddersfield, also believes rents are too high. And he said begging and anti-social behaviour “puts you off” from visiting the town centre. He thinks people aren’t as friendly as they used to be.
“It used to be a friendly place. It is not a welcoming place since Covid. Nobody wants to talk or smile.”
Despite the issues, Carl visits the town centre two or three times a week to shop at Lidl and Tesco. His partner, Lisa, is a big fan of the second-hand market which is held on Tuesday and Saturday at Huddersfield Open Market in Brook Street.
Danielle, who was visiting the town centre with her husband and their two children, was more upbeat about the town centre’s future thanks to various regeneration schemes including Kingsgate Leisure which will include a six-screen cinema operated by The Light.
“We are looking forward to the cinema – that might bring people in to town and to restaurants on an evening.”
Empty shop unit in New Street, Huddersfield town centre
She called for more creative events for children to enjoy, similar to the MakerWorld free workshops that were held in the Piazza.
Stephen, 60, from Huddersfield, who had popped into town to buy some cat litter from Tesco, is a fan of the Pound Bakery in New Street and Nawaab Restaurant in Westgate. He thinks business rates are too high.
Marie, from Brighouse, visits Huddersfield town centre once a week and likes shopping at Home Bargains on New Street, and Costa Coffee. She thinks there are too many vape shops.
“We prefer Brighouse to Huddersfield,” she said: “We visit Huddersfield for Home Bargains.”
She said Halifax has a problem with anti-social behaviour. “There are lots of drunks and druggies. Halifax is worse.”
Aung, from Dalton, Huddersfield, is a fan of Primark and Home Bargains in Huddersfield town centre. He wants to see more shops opening in the town centre, and more entertainment for families. He shops in town once a week.
“If we visit Leeds, you feel excited, but in Huddersfield it is not exciting any more. We need more things for kids and for a family to enjoy.
Aung thinks a lot of Huddersfield people like to visit Leeds and Manchester. “If they keep doing that, the town will die a death.”
Get all the latest What’s On news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.