Dewsbury Blueprint: Council to reveal big steps forward on Dewsbury town centre revamp including plans for new amphitheatre and start date for arcade work

At the next meeting of the Dewsbury Town Deal Board, on Thursday, March 28, Kirklees Council says it will present major steps forward for multiple key projects within the Dewsbury Blueprint.

The board will discuss plans for Dewsbury Market and the new town park, along with new, improved proposals for the public space outside Dewsbury Town Hall.

Most imminent is the start of renovation works to Dewsbury Arcade, which will begin on Monday, April 15.

The arcade is a Grade II Listed building which has been a focal point in Dewsbury town centre since the late 1800s but has stood empty for more than seven years.

As a key part of the Dewsbury Blueprint, the arcade will be reopened as the UK’s first ever community-run shopping centre.

It will be managed by the Arcade Group - a community business formed specifically to lease and manage the building.

The work will be undertaken by William Birch Construction - a Yorkshire-based company specialising in the restoration and repair of historic buildings.

The renovations should take around a year to complete, and will be funded by £4.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, grants from the Dewsbury Town Deal Board and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, support from the government’s Getting Building Fund, and capital funding from the council.

Once reopened, the Arcade Group will take on management and operation of the business side of the arcade without further financial input from the council.

The board meeting on Thursday will also have first sight of new, more detailed plans for the area outside Dewsbury Town Hall, which will see the creation of a new public space.

The proposed designs feature a amphitheatre – the suggested design for which is inspired by the town hall once being the site of Dewsbury’s original railway station – along with more greenery and seating.

Following discussion by the board next week, a consultation will be held around these proposed plans over the coming months.

The council is then aiming to begin work on public realm outside the town hall this summer.

Councillor Cathy Scott, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “I’m honestly overjoyed that we are, at long last, able to talk about these projects progressing publicly, and that people will be able to physically see the changes.

"For a very long time, the lion’s share of work has been taking place behind the scenes.

“As someone who’s lived and breathed Dewsbury since long before I became council leader, I appreciate so keenly how difficult it is to be having all these discussions and not physically seeing the results.

"A tremendous amount of consideration goes into each and every decision, which is exactly as it should be in times like these.

“Our town needs a lot of time and investment to return it to its former glory and I believe our blueprint plans are the boost Dewsbury needs.

"No single development could breathe new life into Dewsbury alone but combined, these plans will bring more footfall into our town centre, creating a better, safer town which people want to spend time in, and where local businesses can thrive.”