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Brought by: Kim Searle  |   Launched: 25 June 2026

 

Include Local Creative Industries in Our Cultural Heart

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We petition the council to include the creative industries in the space and business model for the food hall building currently in development in phase 1 of Our Cultural Heart in Huddersfield.

 

With the decision to take the running of the food hall in house at Kirklees council, reducing the food hall offer to make space for local creative businesses and organisations will de-risk and vary the business model, build on an established creative network in the town, attract footfall to the OCH, support the talent of the creative industries and embed locally grown culture into the Cultural Heart from the start.

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CREATIVE ECONOMY

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West Yorkshire’s creative sector is among the fastest-growing in the UK. As one of six national "priority places" for the creative industries, West Yorkshire has secured a share of £150 million in government funding to accelerate new initiatives and attract private investment. If we don’t support the incredible talent in the creative sector in and around Huddersfield, Kirklees will lose out.

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I am bringing this petition now as it’s a pivotal time for the Cultural Heart. Kirklees have decided to run the food hall themselves similarly to Barnsley Market Glass Works. However, this is predicted to cost £3 million and will put pressure on the other food businesses in town. Including the nearby Packhorse Kitchen and planned outdoor market development. In a town where we have a huge and varied array of well loved local food businesses, it seems a shame to introduce more competition.

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The Glass Works in Barnsley has a cinema and bowling alleys to help draw people in, Spark in York has studios and events. Many food halls simply do not draw people into town on their own and need other activities to encourage dwell time.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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There are over 200 creative businesses and non-profit organisations around the town, many are also looking for spaces in Huddersfield town centre and struggling to find or afford them. A business model that builds in rental of creative spaces not only generates revenue, it ensures that a varied programme is always on offer. From pop-up retail opportunities to studio hire, grassroots exhibition spaces and larger units for mid-to-long term rental, incorporating a place and pipeline for the creative industries boosts footfall and spotlights a priority growth sector for the UK.

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Many local creative enterprises have experience leading exceptional cultural events, delivering best practice programming and have the trust of local citizens already. I believe the £3 million could be better spent to support these enterprises and create a truly home grown cultural heart.

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DELIVERING FOR RESIDENTS & VISITORS

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Since the closure of the Piazza, I have heard how many people miss the experience that has been offered through creative organisations. Through my own experience as a Director of Thread Republic CIC, our consultation shows that local residents and tourists miss popping in to buy affordable and sustainable fabrics from us as well as feeling connected to a welcoming place for socials and workshops. Other people have commented that they miss the free and accessible creative family activities and feeling part of a wider creative community.

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Combining creative spaces with the food hall offer is an amazing opportunity to create a truly cultural gem for Huddersfield. While many towns may have a food hall we have a chance to build a Cultural Heart that celebrates:

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- Creative Health: The powerful links between creativity and wellbeing are well documented globally. With experiences, projects and workshops delivered by skilled practitioners and organisations who know how to do this best, they already know the residents and their needs.

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- Lifelong Learning On The Highstreet: We know that organisations based on the Piazza brought thousands of people into the town centre. During a time when many people are finding fewer reasons to come into the town centre, we’d like skill sharing, intergenerational learning and aspirational creative sector support to be part of the solution to bring people back in.

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-Sustainability: By including sustainable enterprises such as Thread Republic CIC and Huddersfield Repair Cafe, we can ensure the Cultural Heart has sustainability at its core to support Kirklees Council targets to become net zero and climate ready by 2038. 

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-Creative Businesses: With so many local creatives and enterprises struggling for space, OCH could be a space to catapult the talent in the town. With many people currently feel disconnected from our town centre, this could be a way to put them back in the heart of it. Organisations that have already been delivering from the town centre have learnt to adapt to the needs of local communities, with a reactive approach that reflects those needs rather than making decisions from the top down.

 

This ePetition runs from 23/06/2026 to 20/09/2026.