25 July 2025 —
As part of this year’s Heritage Open Days in Kirklees – proudly sponsored by Kirklees Council’s Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme – members of the public are invited to step behind the scenes of one of Huddersfield town centre’s most iconic buildings.
The former Queensgate Market, a Grade II listed building opened in 1970, is currently undergoing major redevelopment as part of Our Cultural Heart – being transformed into a vibrant new food hall and an adjoining, contemporary library hub.
The one-off tour on 18 September, led by construction contractor BAM, offers visitors and design enthusiasts a rare chance to explore the architectural significance of the building. This includes the truly unique hyperbolic paraboloid roof structures of the former market hall – set to play a starring role within the final food hall design – and its celebrated ceramic artworks by Fritz Steller.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday 18 September 2025
- Time: 4:00-6:00pm
- Location: Our Cultural Heart, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 2UJ (access via Princess Street near Huddersfield Town Hall).
The open day will offer informal tours, heritage information, and the opportunity to speak with members of the project delivery team about the transformation underway.
Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration at Kirklees Council, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to come and see the incredible progress we’re making on Phase One of the of Our Cultural Heart. The former market building holds a special place in Huddersfield’s identity, and it’s inspiring to see it being given new life for future generations. We’re proud to be supporting Heritage Open Days, celebrating our town’s proud past while showcasing its exciting future.”
David Griffiths, Coordinator for Heritage Open Days in Kirklees, added:
“I’m delighted that Queensgate is joining almost a hundred events taking place across Kirklees during the ten days of the festival. ‘Heritage’ doesn’t just mean antique – buildings of the present and future are welcome too. This year, with architecture as the festival’s national theme, the market building takes its place alongside another Huddersfield icon, the Kirklees Stadium, celebrating 30 years since it won RIBA Building of the Year, and two new houses built to the Passivhaus standard for green buildings. There’s a guided Modernism walk too. Full details of all the events can be found on the national Heritage Open Days website and, later in August, in the local leaflet, sponsored by Our Cultural Heart.”
Mark Gibson, Northern Region Construction Director at BAM, said:
“At BAM, we believe the past is the foundation on which we build the future. The architecture of the former Queensgate Market is a symbol of Huddersfield’s identity, and it’s a privilege to preserve its iconic structure while transforming it for modern use as part of Our Cultural Heart.
“We’re proud to open the site for the Heritage Open Day and share the progress of a building where Huddersfield’s past and future will come together.”
Construction on Phase One of Our Cultural Heart is progressing well and due to reach completion in spring 2026. The new food hall and library hub will open to the public in summer 2026.
Following this, Phase Two of the masterplan – which has now received full planning approval – will see the former library and gallery building on Princess Alexandra Walk sensitively refurbished to house a flagship regional museum and art gallery.
For more information about the open day, please visit: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/our-cultural-heart-2025.html