Big green light for the next stages of Huddersfield’s Our Cultural Heart
Huddersfield’s town centre is set for another major boost after Cabinet approved the next stages of Our Cultural Heart – the ambitious regeneration programme at the heart of the Huddersfield Blueprint.
Phase 2 of the project will now move forward, transforming the much-loved former library into a brand-new museum and art gallery, with fantastic new public spaces around it. Work is due to start in spring 2026, with the museum and gallery set to open in 2029.
This builds on the huge progress already being made with Phase 1. Work is well underway on the new library hub, food hall and public square, which are all on track to open in summer 2026. The West Yorkshire Archive will be moving into the library hub, and a preferred food hall tenant has been identified who will bring an exciting mix of independent food businesses into the heart of town.
Cabinet has also agreed to prepare for the demolition of the remaining Piazza retail units in 2026 – paving the way for a brand-new town centre park, which will form Phase 3 of the scheme.
Together, all of these projects will create a cultural campus right in the heart of Huddersfield, celebrating the town’s heritage while offering new opportunities for leisure, learning and investment.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said:
“This is such a positive moment for Huddersfield. Approving the next stages of Our Cultural Heart means we can keep the transformation moving and deliver something really special.
“The new library hub, food hall and public square will open their doors in 2026 – and now we can look forward to the museum, art gallery and town centre park that will follow. This is about creating a town centre for everyone: families, businesses, students and visitors.”
The scheme will create hundreds of jobs, attract new investment and give residents and visitors new free-to-access cultural and green spaces. It will also play a major role in boosting Huddersfield’s economy and supporting wider regeneration projects across Kirklees.