Image: Plans for the future Museum of Huddersfield (c) FCBStudios / Kirklees Council
Historic Grade II library to become cultural venue with café and outdoor terrace as part of £210m Queensgate regeneration scheme to boost town centre footfall.
Plans to turn Huddersfield’s former library building into a museum and art gallery have been approved by the local council.
Kirklees Council has approved the release of £5.4m for the next phase of the redevelopment, which is expected to begin next year, creating a “world class museum and gallery”.
It will see the four-storey, Grade II former library transformed, with a 50-seat café with outdoor terrace.
The council said plans include “a sympathetic new extension which will improve accessibility, and better connecting the building with the outdoor space”.
The museum and art gallery is part of the council’s £210m, ten-year regeneration of Huddersfield’s Queensgate retail area, a project known as ‘Our Cultural Heart’.
The council is working alongside FCBStudios on the project, which has already begun with the former Queensgate Market building being transformed into a food hall and new library.
Work on the new museum and gallery site which will eventually become the Museum of Huddersfield, is expected to begin early next year.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “Our Cultural Heart is our most ambitious regeneration programme, when completed it will bring a new, community-centred arts and leisure offer to the town, providing cultural activities to enjoy during the day and into the evening.”
“Our ambition is to give local people and visitors more reasons to spend time in the town centre. By increasing footfall, and in turn commercial opportunities, our plans will also benefit existing and future businesses from all sectors. Thriving businesses in turn provide employment opportunities for our communities.”