Huddersfield town centre street’s 12 empty units plus big brand names leaving can no longer be ignored – Craig Jones

Huddersfield: As the new year rolls in, there’s always a mix of hope and the dreaded ‘January blues.’ I mean, who hasn’t felt that post-holiday slump? And trust me, I get it—my birthday’s in January too!

Working as the What’s On Editor for Yorkshire Live, I usually love the buzz of November and December. There’s so much going on, from festive events to new shops popping up, all trying to cash in on the holiday spirit.

But then January hits, and it’s like a wave of closures sweeps through. It’s a real downer, especially when you’ve been covering the area for a while. Sadly, January 2025 is no different. This isn’t just a Yorkshire issue, but it’s hitting our towns hard. Just this week, we’ve seen places close in Bradford, Leeds, and Bridlington, which is heartbreaking for those losing their jobs.

Huddersfield town centre is particularly struggling. Big names like BrewDog and Slug and Lettuce have shut their doors, and the Kingsgate Shopping Centre has lost another tenant with the Medicare Health Check Centre closing down.

Magic Rock Brewing Co is also facing an uncertain future, and the KFC on New Street is about to serve its last meal. I know some folks might roll their eyes at this news, but it’s a trend we can’t ignore.

I took a stroll through Huddersfield town centre on a snowy Monday, January 6, and it was hard to miss all the closures. I was trudging around in boots that were totally wrong for the weather, but I couldn’t help but notice the empty units. I counted at least 12, and there might have been more hidden behind the shutters.

It’s a quiet scene on New Street, and it’s sad to see. The collapse of Wilko was a big blow, especially since they occupied such large spaces. Other towns have seen new businesses move in, like a bowling alley in Leeds, but Huddersfield is still waiting for that turnaround.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. New Street has one of my favorite coffee spots, The Turntable Coffee and Vinyl, where the food is just as good as the tunes. If you’re into 90s Italian football, Golaccio is a must-visit, and Rate My Takeaway Kitchen in The Packhorse Shopping Centre is a great example of local businesses trying to thrive.

There are definitely some bright spots worth celebrating. My colleagues have chatted with independent businesses that are feeling hopeful about the future of Huddersfield town centre. There are ambitious plans in the works that could bring some much-needed optimism.

But if the start of 2025 is any indication, Huddersfield town centre really needs our support. It deserves it, and we should all rally behind it.

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