We have got a deal to buy the birthplace of rugby league over the line
We have agreed a deal to purchase Huddersfield’s iconic George Hotel – taking another step towards delivering the £250million Blueprint vision for the town centre.
The Grade II-listed George Hotel in Huddersfield is famous for being the birthplace of rugby league in 1895. The hotel was built in 1851 and closed in January 2013.
The Huddersfield Blueprint
When we launched our Huddersfield Blueprint vision in June 2019 it included an ambition to bring the building back into use.
Discussions have been ongoing between the owner of the building and an agreement has now been reached for us to purchase it.
What will be the use of the building?
We are now exploring a number of different options for the use of the building to make it a key part of a future thriving Huddersfield Town Centre.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“When we launched the Huddersfield Blueprint, we said we were committed to get the George Hotel back open and this shows just how serious we are.
The George Hotel is much more than a building to people in Huddersfield and to rugby league fans. It’s a proud part of our history and we want to make sure it is also part of our exciting future.
It wouldn’t feel right for so much investment and regeneration to come to the town centre whilst such a popular building stays closed. So agreeing to purchase it is the right thing to do.
This is another exciting step forward towards delivering our Blueprint vision.”
Councillor Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
“The historic significance of this building means this is something we absolutely have to do. By purchasing the George Hotel we can make sure it has a permanent place in our plans for Huddersfield Town Centre.
It also sits in St George’s Square which is a key entrance to Huddersfield for thousands of people every day using the train station. The George Hotel will be part of a revitalised St George’s Square which will include a revamped train station, an improved public space and more of our heritage buildings being brought back into use.
We’re now in the process of exploring a number of different future uses for the building. We have to take our time to make sure we get this absolutely right.”
More information
For more information on the Huddersfield Blueprint, artist impressions and a fly-through video can be viewed on our website.
Great idea bringing the building back into use, as long it does not go for more student accommodation, like the Coop building. Up market apartments, retirement homes, sheltered housing, hotel or office space. What you really need is to get people living in the town.
Nice to see the building is to come back into use. it is sometimes the 1st view of Huddersfield that visitors see, or the last and what kind of impression does it give in its present state. But it needn’t be all hotel. What about some luxury flats or bed sits? Someone might be glad of somewhere stay so near the railway station. Market research needs to be done.