£30m Huddersfield George Hotel scheme takes major step forward
An additional planning application has now been approved - as a major project to transform Huddersfield's George Hotel gets underway
Huddersfield is being put “firmly back on the map” as the George Hotel takes a step forward and other major regeneration schemes rumble on.
The initial plans for the George Hotel were given the green light back in August 2023. Since then, an extra £10m has been allocated to the scheme, which was originally expected to come at a cost of £20m. The council submitted a further planning application in May to address structural issues relating to the foundations of the building.
With permission now in place for these most recent plans, the hotel’s façade on John William Street will be dismantled and rebuilt. The development will also include an additional 17 hotel rooms, taking the total to 108, along with a bar, restaurant, gym and conference rooms.
The council says the hotel is “perfectly placed” to accommodate additional footfall that it expects will be generated as transport links are improved through schemes like the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Graham Turner, said: “The exciting, updated plans being approved for the George Hotel is another major milestone in the Huddersfield Blueprint and for the future of this Huddersfield icon. It is one of the town’s most treasured landmarks that proudly overlooks St. George’s Square.
“Its central location not only places it at the heart of the town but also makes it one of the first sights to greet rail travellers arriving in Huddersfield. It is a perfectly positioned hotel with the potential to play a key role in supporting our local economy. The fact that it will be operated by the world-renowned Radisson Group under their Radisson RED brand makes it even more exciting.
“Our ambitious vision for Huddersfield town centre is becoming a reality with the opening of the Light at Kingsgate and the enhancements to the public realm on New Street and St. Peter’s Gardens.
“Along with our landmark regeneration project, Our Cultural Heart taking shape, improvements to shop fronts along John William Street and external investments like the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus, we are putting Huddersfield firmly back on the map.”
Last month, in response to a question at Full Council from Cllr Tony McGrath (Con, Holme Valley North), Cllr Turner gave his assurances that the council will see a return on its investment into the hotel. However, he couldn’t say by what point in time this will be achieved.