Kirklees Council has approved additional funding to cover rising costs in the refurbishment of a historic Huddersfield building.
- The George Hotel, vacant since 2013, is set to become a Radisson hotel upon completion in 2027.
- The project, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, aims to revitalise the town centre with increased hotel capacity.
- Challenges arose with the original contractor due to unaffordable fixed pricing amidst escalating construction costs.
- The council plans to increase hotel rooms to 108, addressing unforeseen site issues and historic building complexities.
Kirklees Council has decided to allocate an additional £9.8 million to the George Hotel refurbishment as costs have escalated from £20.2 million to £30 million. This historic building, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, has remained vacant for over a decade. The council purchased it four years ago and aims to revitalise it within its masterplan to transform Huddersfield town centre.
The hotel is expected to be managed by Radisson upon its reopening, anticipated for 2027. Originally, the council intended to increase the number of rooms from 60 to 91, but recent evaluations have considered further capacity expansion to 108 rooms to help cover the rising costs.
Initially, Morgan Sindall was chosen for the refurbishing work under a preconstruction services agreement. However, the partnership ended when cost estimates proved unfeasible. The council has since reassessed the project, incorporating the hike in construction costs and unanticipated challenges linked to the nature of the listed building.
The intricacies of dealing with a Grade II* Listed building have understandably introduced unexpected issues, which have further impacted the financial and strategic outlook of the refurbishment. In response, the council is actively pursuing solutions to these issues, though a new contractor remains unappointed.
Council leader Cllr Carole Pattison underscored the project’s importance, noting its significance to Huddersfield’s heritage and economy. She expressed unwavering commitment to the hotel revival, recognising its potential to enhance local tourism and economic activity.
Kirklees Council remains firm in its commitment to restore The George Hotel, ensuring its future as a key asset in Huddersfield’s revitalised town centre.
