Northern English town to get huge £19.1million revamp with new indoor market and pretty canalside walks
A LITTLE-KNOWN market town in the north of England is set to undergo a huge £19.1million revamp, with work already underway on a new indoor market.
Located in West Yorkshire, Brighouse is a vibrant market town that’s home to the highest man-made outdoor climbing wall in the country.
The market town is set to increase its offering to both locals and visitors thanks to the Brighouse Town Deal.
Funded by the UK Government, the £19.1m Brighouse Town Deal hopes to “reinvigorate the town” with a host of new projects.
Based on the Town Improvement Plan and Vision Masterplan, and local consultation, these projects will build on the strengths Brighouse has to offer like its compact town centre, independent shops and diverse events and arts programme.
Construction work on a new indoor town centre market is underway.
When it opens, the £3million market will feature 21 fixed stalls as well as 19 additional stalls, which can be removed to accommodate small events.
Other features include decorative gates, bicycle storage and new entrances and exits.
The work is expected to take one year, with the market being relocated to a temporary site on Daisy Street.
Meanwhile, the Brighouse Town Deal will also improve links between the town centre and green spaces, with more walking and cycling routes on the cards.
Accessibility to the canalside from the town centre will also be improved as part of the project.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said: “As project lead for the transformation of the market in Brighouse, we’re delighted to see work underway on this exciting project.
“The improvements will transform the building into a modern, new facility, benefitting traders and shoppers, with the potential to allow for increased opening.
“The market project is one part of a package of investment across the town centre which includes new pedestrian areas, resurfacing of roads and footways and new seating and planting.
“These improvements, being delivered in partnership with the Town Deal Board, will make Brighouse an even better place to visit encouraging more people to spend more time and money in the town.”
Until the full project is realised, there’s still lots to do in the market town, including scaling the UK’s tallest outdoor climbing wall.
ROKT is home to a huge 36m-takk climbing wall, an indoor climbing wall, a yoga studio and an escape room.
Another prime attraction is the Smith Art Gallery.
Surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens, the gallery was built in 1907 and hosts an exhibition of oil paintings and other changing exhibits by local artists.
There’s also Millers Bar, an award-winning, and dog-friendly boozer that’s been voted as one of the public’s favourite Yorkshire pubs for three years running.
Brighouse is also the birthplace of the Rastrick Brass Band, which was formed in 1881.
Considered one of the country’s finest brass bands, the group has won countless awards and is largely known for its hit record ‘The Floral Dance’, which spent six weeks in the UK music charts.
The final resting place of English legend Robin Hood is also said to be nearby in Kirklees Priory.
According to local legend, the heroic outlaw fired arrows and asked to be buried where the fell.
This site is located three miles from Brighouse town centre.
Brighouse is a 30-minute drive from Leeds, and it’s a 15-minute drive from Huddersfield.
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