Shoppers Share Love and Concerns for Huddersfield Town Centre
Shoppers express their affection for Huddersfield town centre while voicing worries about its future amid empty shops and closures
Huddersfield, UK, Shoppers, Town Centre, Business Closures, Regeneration
Huddersfield: Shoppers are still hitting up the town centre, but they’re feeling a bit anxious about what’s happening. With so many empty shops and businesses shutting down, it’s hard not to worry.
On a recent Sunday, folks shared what they love about the area and what they hope to see in the future. Many want more family-friendly activities, while others are just tired of seeing “To Let” signs everywhere and want to tackle issues like anti-social behavior.
Peter Wilson, a local guy, thinks the town centre has seen better days. He’s been shopping there for years but feels pretty cynical about its future. He loves grabbing a coffee at Wetherspoons or shopping at Lidl, but he’s not too optimistic about retail.
He mentioned a cool independent café called Turntable Coffee and Vinyl, which he enjoys. But overall, he’s not holding his breath for a retail revival. He’s seen the changes over the years and it honestly bums him out. He said, “It thoroughly depresses me.”
Peter thinks some buildings could be turned into homes instead of shops. He even suggested that some older buildings should just come down to make way for green spaces.
He’s pretty blunt about it all, saying, “I’m just dismissing the retail side of Huddersfield. It’s never to be seen again.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Young women Beth and Amy from Halifax prefer shopping in Huddersfield, even if it looks a bit run down. They think it’s better than their hometown for shopping.
Kevin, another local, loves Turntable Coffee but agrees that too many good shops have closed, likely due to high rents. He’s not alone in this thought; Carl, another shopper, feels the same way and says the begging and anti-social behavior make it less inviting.
Despite the issues, Carl still shops in the town centre a few times a week. His partner loves the second-hand market, which is a hit on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Danielle, visiting with her family, is more hopeful thanks to new projects like Kingsgate Leisure, which will have a cinema. She thinks that could bring more people into town.
Others, like Stephen and Marie, have their favorite spots but also see the downsides, like high business rates and too many vape shops. Marie even prefers Brighouse for shopping but still visits Huddersfield for specific stores.
Aung, another local, wants to see more shops and family entertainment. He feels like people are more excited about shopping in Leeds or Manchester, and if that keeps happening, Huddersfield might struggle.
It’s clear that while there’s love for Huddersfield town centre, there’s also a lot of concern about its future. Let’s hope for some positive changes ahead!