Have your say on plans for restoration of iconic George Hotel
We are inviting residents to view and comment on proposals for the refurbishment of the historic George Hotel in Huddersfield town centre, in preparation for a formal planning application.
What are the proposals?
The exciting proposals would see the building used as a hotel once again and secure the long-term future of this important Grade II* Listed landmark.
The proposals for the George Hotel would see it renovated to become a high-quality hotel. This would be with our preferred hotel operator Radisson Hotel Group.
The £20 million project would increase the number of bedrooms from 60 to 91. This is the number of bedrooms that research has shown is needed to make the hotel a viable business. It would also have conference spaces, a bar and restaurant.
The ground floor could house the hotel’s reception and lounge. As well as a 70-seater restaurant and bar, and a large conference-style room for business use. The lower ground floor will provide a 100-cover banqueting suite for business events, receptions and weddings.
The development plans have been split into three defined blocks
Block A incorporates the site’s original and most celebrated building, with a prominent location facing St. George’s square towards the south. This part of the building will be carefully and sympathetically restored to retain and protect its heritage features. It has five floors and a basement and would continue to be the main entry point to the hotel reception area.
Heritage experts have concluded that Block B, which faces the train station, is of low heritage value and in poor condition. Plans are to demolish this three-storey part of the complex and create an entirely new-build block of a similar footprint. Using a sympathetic design with quality materials and a similar colour palette, the upper floors of this new-build block would be stepped back so as not to detract from the overall look of the building.
Block C on John William Street is structurally in a similarly poor condition. Under the new proposals, the attractive building façade would be retained. All existing internal structures and the courtyard removed and replaced by a new building. This proposal will enable the hotel to achieve the required 90+ rooms of 20 sqm and the new restaurant space on the ground floor.
As on Block B, the upper floors of this block will be ‘stepped back from the retained façade to reduce the visual impact on the main listed building.
There will be an open void through the centre of the building. This would run vertically from the ground floor atrium up to a glazed roof on the top level.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
“The George Hotel is a key part of Huddersfield’s heritage, and I am pleased that we are ever closer to securing the future of this iconic building with a quality hotel operator.
“The future is bright for our town centres as long as we remain committed to investing in them and supporting businesses. Along with the Cultural Heart and other Blueprint projects, the George Hotel will cement Huddersfield as a great place to live, visit and do business in.
“The submission of a planning application is yet another milestone in this administration’s ambitions to regenerate Huddersfield.
“I am genuinely excited by the prospect of bringing the iconic George back to life seeing it become the success I know it will be.”
The Huddersfield Blueprint
The George Hotel is part of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint. The blueprint is a ten-year vision to create a thriving town centre boasting a diverse and exciting offer.
The hotel will act as an impressive gateway to the town centre. Welcoming business visitors and growing Huddersfield’s profile as an attractive tourist destination.
Have your say
We understand that people will have thoughts and opinions on the hotel refurbishment. Before the submission of an official planning application later this year, we want to inform the public about the proposals and give the opportunity to contribute to the finalisation of the plans.
The pre-application consultation programme will run from 25 November to 9 December 2022.
Plans can be viewed, and comments made on our website, https://kirklees.gov.uk/georgehotel
A planning application is expected to be submitted in December 2022. If plans are approved, construction could start in 2023, with the hotel opening in late 2024.