Huge scheme to revitalise town centre

Councillor Eric Firth outside the Imsons building, Queensway Arcade, which is spearheading a Kirklees Council regeneration project. with Daryl Le-Vine, soaeb Laher, John Lambe and Steve Graystock

as part of multi-million pound scheme to breathe new life into Dewsbury.

Imsons in Foundry Street is the first commercial premises to benefit from the council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative, which has set aside £3.7m to restore buildings around Pioneer House and Northgate.

Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East), Kirklees Cabinet member for housing and the relief of poverty, said: “The Imsons building has been brought back to life and in turn transformed Queensway Arcade.

“I am delighted that this grant is leading to real changes in Dewsbury and hope that the investment will encourage more businesses to move into this fantastic town.

“Whilst there is much more to Dewsbury than its buildings, anything that raises the profile of the town can only be a good thing.

“I look forward to seeing the remaining buildings receiving the same high quality improvements.

“This is another huge step and the town centre is starting to look really good – it can only go from strength to strength.

“But we can only put it out there that we’re running this scheme. Businesses need to come to us as well.”

The project invites traders and property owners in the area to pay a certain amount toward the regeneration of their properties with the council to make up the rest from the grant. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided the initial £2m and a further £1.7m was provided by the council.

In February this year the Pioneer House annexe, which had been empty since 2009, was converted into flats.

Further work on the surrounding buildings is expected to start in Spring next year.

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