Latest news with #DewsburyMarket
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Traders move into shipping containers for Dewsbury market revamp
More than 50 shipping containers which have been stored in a car park for nearly half a decade are to finally be used as part of an anticipated revamp of Dewsbury Council bought the 53 steel containers for £800,000 in 2021 to be used as temporary replacement stalls for traders during the market's proposed £15m plans progressing, traders are due to start using the containers next spring, with the structures expected to be located across Market Place, Longcauseway and Foundry Street, according to the Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said the aim was for not a "single day" of market trading to be missed. Construction work on the main market site was expected to take about 18 to 24 months, and the temporary market would remain in the town centre throughout, the council said.A total of 28 of the containers, which would be permanently located in the town centre, would be used, according to the majority had already been allocated to existing traders, while others would be used as refrigerated storage and an information hub where traders and visitors to the market could find out more about the plans. Alongside the containers would be temporary stalls which could be put up and taken down as required, as well as space for food vans or similar to operate from the temporary market, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The market revamp and creation of a brand new town park are two key parts of the Dewsbury Blueprint – the council's overarching masterplan for investment in the town authority said its aim was to create more reasons for people to visit the town and spend time there during the daytime but also at permission has already been granted for significant changes to the existing market site, which would see the revamped market and new town park located said the authority had "put a lot of effort into making sure the decant process" would be seamless and work well for traders."Market days are always some of our busiest days in Dewsbury town centre," he added."Our aim is that we don't miss a single day of market trading despite the move." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Declining' UK town set for tourist boom as £22.5m revamp takes step forward
A 'rundown' UK town that locals say has 'gone downhill' has been granted planning permission for two major upgrades in what has been described as a 'huge milestone' A tiny 'rundown' town that has grappled with its reputation for years is slated for a major transformation to the tune of £22.5 million. Conveniently located between Leeds and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, Dewsbury boasts a rich historical heritage - visible with its impressive Victorian-era architecture and parish church. While some may consider the region charming and under-appreciated - locals say Dewsbury has rapidly gone downhill. Branded a ' ghost town ' due to its failing high-street and struggling market, residents have even gone as far as warning Brits not to visit. "We have lost all of our independent shops - there are no small independents anymore," Richard Burns, who has been trading on the town's market for more than 60 years, told Yorkshire Live. "If you look at this side of town (by the market), it is basically all takeaways. There's nothing to draw people into Dewsbury. If you come on a day when the market isn't open, there's no one walking around the town. Talks of regenerating the town have been in the air since 2018, casting doubt on whether they'll ever come to fruition. However, last week (Tuesday, June 17) Kirklees Council announced planning permission had been granted for two key projects within the Dewsbury Blueprint - a 10-year plan that aims to bolster the attractiveness and accessibility of the town. This consists of creating a new town park, which will be the largest green space within the centre - and is set to feature a dedicated outdoor area for children to 'safely play and socialise'. "The approved plans include lots of open green spaces, seating and a substantial, partially enclosed play area, which will benefit from lots of interesting features for children of all ages to engage with and enjoy," Kirklees Council said. "The plans also allow for potential water features, which could provide both a relaxing element for those enjoying the park and an interactive feature for the play area. There will also be an opportunity to include more art, with involvement from the local community." Dewsbury Market will also get a huge upgrade, with new demountable stalls that will allow for both an outdoor market area and a 'flexible space to support events'. The indoor market will also be kitted out for a 'variety' of different markets and events, while maintaining the building's 'beautiful historic structure and character'. "Now accepted, the plans for Dewsbury Market will create a more varied, day-to-night offering in Dewsbury town centre," Kirklees Council added. "We aim to continue and improve the traditional market offering, whilst at the same time creating more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events, giving people as many reasons as possible to visit Dewsbury." Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration, hailed the announcement - stating it is an 'incredibly exciting time' for the town. "Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece," he added. "These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury's future. This approved planning application marries these two key elements within our Dewsbury Blueprint, and shows how different this part of town is going to look within the next few years – not even taking into account the amount of work we're doing elsewhere in the town centre." Keith Ramsay, Chair of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, also welcomed the planning permission approval, describing it as a 'huge milestone' for both Debwsbury Market and the new town park. "These are plans that will truly see Dewsbury town centre brought back to life, supporting the soon-to-reopen arcade and other town centre businesses, and cementing all we're doing to future-proof Dewsbury's heritage as a traditional market town – whilst creating a town centre that can thrive for future generations," he said. Speaking to the Mirror, Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration confirmed the estimated costs for both the revamped market and town park is around £22.5 million. "That figure is made up of money from the government's Towns Fund, which is aimed at regenerating town centres up and down the country, and our own capital funding," he added. When asked when the works will commence, Cllr Turner stated: "We're currently working closely with traders to discuss next steps. We'll soon be moving forward with procuring a contractor to complete the work, after which we'll be able to provide a further, more detailed update which includes both costs and timelines."
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans approved for updates to Dewsbury Market and new park
Plans to update a West Yorkshire town's market and create a new park have been Market would have a "more varied, day-to-night offering" with more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events once the work was completed, Kirklees Council said. The new park would be next to the market, and would be the largest green space in the town with its own play area and seating, according to the Graham Turner said: "Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece." "These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury's future," he council said the park plans could potentially include water features, to add interest and entertainment for children using the play would also be an opportunity to include more art, with involvement from the local community, it town park would transition smoothly into the market's outdoor offering, where people would be able to eat and drink outside in an area which could also be used for events, the plans would in itself transition into the indoor market, which would retain its historical structure and character, the council said. The new outdoor space was designed to allow full visibility from end to end, to create a safer thoroughfare, the authority council worked with the Dewsbury Town Board and architects from the Building Design Partnership Ltd to develop the designs for the market and town park, and said it made sure the designs took into consideration feedback given by traders and local Ramsay, chair of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, said it was a "huge milestone" for Dewsbury Market and the new town park. He said: "These are plans that will truly see Dewsbury town centre brought back to life, supporting the soon-to-reopen arcade and other town centre businesses, and cementing all we're doing to future-proof Dewsbury's heritage as a traditional market town - while creating a town centre that can thrive for future generations." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
