Willmott Dixon appointed for £16.5m Huddersfield Market redevelopment
Listed hall restoration will add food, drink and events space
14 October 2026
Kirklees Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to refurbish Huddersfield Open Market as part of a £16.5m redevelopment. The contractor will deliver £14.9m of construction works, starting this month, with completion scheduled for spring 2028.
The project will restore the Grade II* listed Market Hall while expanding its hospitality offer, with a new market café, hot food units, a mezzanine seating area and a bar. The council aims to support six-day-a-week operation and a programme of events, increasing footfall for existing traders and attracting new businesses and visitors.
Built in 1887, the hall will undergo timber and cast iron frame repairs and a full repaint, reinstating its original colour scheme of reds, pinks and creams. New curtain walling will replace the existing roller shutters.
The adjoining annex will undergo internal demolition to accommodate a new office for the markets team and public toilets. Accessibility improvements across the scheme will include automated entrances, accessible WCs, Changing Places facilities and shower rooms.
Willmott Dixon has created a temporary market structure next to the site to accommodate traders during the refurbishment. The council said the temporary market and stalls remain open, with its markets team continuing to support traders and customers as the main works progress.
Councillor John Hardie, cabinet member for regeneration, highways and transport, said: “Regenerating the historic market hall to secure its future, protect its heritage and build on the existing market offer Huddersfield has, is moving to its next exciting stage. People will have seen work take place on preparing the site for the renovation, but they will now see a lot more activity around this beautiful Grade II* listed building.”
The redevelopment forms part of the council’s wider work to revitalise Huddersfield town centre. Its approach combines repairs to the historic structure with new uses intended to encourage people to visit and spend more time at the market.
Chris Yates, Yorkshire director for Willmott Dixon, said: “This is an important project for Huddersfield, creating a refreshed market while paying tribute to its proud heritage to allow the Market Hall to continue supporting the town centre and local traders for many years to come.”
The appointment adds to the contractor’s work on existing town-centre buildings, including the restoration of the Capitol Theatre in West Sussex and the repurposing of Princes Exchange in Leeds as a rail industry hub. Willmott Dixon has also recently handed over the Kirklees District HQ in Dewsbury, which combines heritage restoration with a custody suite.
At Huddersfield, the expanded food, drink and events offer is intended to give the restored hall a broader role while retaining its market function. Temporary accommodation for traders will allow trading to continue alongside the works ahead of the planned reopening in spring 2028.
