Council seeks extra cash for masterplan centrepiece

Kirklees Council is seeking to allocate an extra £9.8m to the refurbishment and reopening of the George Hotel, one of Huddersfield’s most recognisable and historic buildings. Once restored, the George – a key priority within the Huddersfield Blueprint, Kirklees Council’s masterplan to transform the town centre – will be managed by hotelier Radisson. The George has stood vacant since 2013, with the building left to deteriorate. Four years ago, the council purchased the Grade II* listed building to restore it and bring it back into use. Over the past few months, the council has reviewed its plans for the George, factoring in increases in construction costs and additional issues found on site, mostly due to the nature of the historic building and its complexities.  At the same time, the council has investigated the possibility of increasing the number of rooms planned from 91 to 108. Expanding the hotel’s capacity, said the council, would help the George generate more income to repay the council’s investment. Two years ago, the council’s cabinet approved £20.2m to redevelop and refurbish the George. This further injection of resources, which will come out of funding already allocated to Huddersfield regeneration, would take the total to £30m. The hotel is expected to open in 2027.   Carole Pattison, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “The George Hotel plays such a key role in Huddersfield’s past, and for people travelling by rail it will always be one of the very first buildings to welcome you as you enter the town centre.  Bringing this building back to life is one of our priorities within the Huddersfield Blueprint, and we are unwavering in that commitment. “This extra funding injection would see us reopen the George with more bedrooms than previously planned, allowing more people to enjoy our rejuvenated Huddersfield town centre, and helping the building itself generate more income. We want the finished hotel to be fantastic, because we know how much it’s loved by local people, and what a great opportunity this presents to boost our local economy and tourism.” She added: “As with many of our regeneration plans – particularly projects which involve the refurbishment of such beautiful, historic structures – it is a hugely complex process, greatly impacted by the current economic climate. What we are proposing is a more streamlined vision for the hotel, with greater capacity, and solutions that take better care of this beautiful building’s history.”