Decision details

This report builds on the approvals and delegated authorities previously agreed by Cabinet and provides an update on the proposed Food Hall operating model within the Our Cultural Heart development. It sets out the next steps required to ensure the Food Hall can be delivered in a timely manner and in line with the overall programme.

In particular, the report clarifies the fit?out requirements for the Food Hall space to ensure it meets operator expectations and functional needs. This will enable the accommodation to be prepared and ready for occupation as soon as practicable, supporting early activation of the space and the successful operation of the Food Hall from its opening.

Background papers

1.       March 2019 – Cabinet Report - Assembling land and property – Huddersfield Town Centre (Piazza) - https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s29122/Item%2014%20Land%20Assembly.pdf

2.     June 2019 - Blueprint Launch Event

3.    August - Oct 2019 - Huddersfield Blueprint Place Standard Exercise – Results at https://howgoodisourplace.org.uk/huddersfield-town-centre/

4.    February 2020 – Cabinet Report -  Huddersfield Blueprint - Next Steps -https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s34958/Item%2015%20CAB%20-%2020%20-%20071%20-%202020-02-25%20Cabinet%20Huddersfield%20Blueprint%20-%20Next%20Steps%20Final.pdf

5.    September 2020 – Cabinet Report Dewsbury and Huddersfield Town Centre Finance - https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s37506/Town%20Centre%20Finance%20Cabinet%20Report%20-%20Final%20Version.doc.pdf

6.    June 2021 – Cabinet Report - Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint – Next Stepshttps://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s41881/Delivering%20the%20Cultural%20Heart%20Cabinet%2022.6.21%20002.pdf

7.     November 2021 - Cabinet Report, Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, Gateway 1.

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s43757/PUBLIC%20CUTLURAL%20HEART%20Cabinet%20Report.%20Final%2016.11.21.pdf

8.     September 2022 – Cabinet Report – Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint – Gateway 2.

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s48238/PUBLIC%20Cultural%20Heart%20Cabinet%20Report%2021.9.22.pdf

9.    June 2023, Cabinet Report - Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint - Gateway 3.

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s52438/Cabinet%20Report%2027.6.23%20public.pdf

10. December 2023 - Cabinet Report – Our Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint – Phase 1 Gateway 4.

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s54749/Signed.%20OCH%20GW4%20Cabinet%20Report%2021.12.23%20public.pdf

11.  July 2024 – Decision – Our Cultural Heart Phase 1, Structural works to former Queensgate Market.

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=12075

12.January 2025 – Cabinet Report – Our Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint – Phase 2 Gateway 3

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s61864/Our%20Cultural%20Heart.%20Cabinet%20Report.%2021.1.25.pdf

13.  September 2025 – Cabinet Report – Our Cultural Heart,

part of the Huddersfield Blueprint – Phase 2 Gateway 4

https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/documents/s66104/Signed%20Final.%20Our%20Cultural%20Heart.%20Cabinet%20Report.%209.9.25.pdf

Engagement and consultation

A comprehensive marketing and communications campaign is actively supporting the project.

Alongside ongoing engagement with prospective food hall tenant/operators, which is the focus of this report, we are maintaining regular liaison with internal services and councillors.

This sits within a broader programme of proactive communications and engagement, including regional and national press coverage (broadcast and print), a sustained social media presence, regular newsletter updates, and in-person engagement at community events. We have also facilitated site visits for stakeholders and community groups to ensure continued visibility and transparency as the project progresses.

Extensive consultation has been undertaken as part of the Blueprint including a place standard exercise as outlined in the background papers, the design process and public consultations for a planning and listed building consent submissions.

RESOLVED -

1)    That in relation to the Phase 1 Food Hall Tenant/Operator authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Service Director Finance, the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Regeneration to conclude the food hall tenant/operator selection process (options are lease, management agreement or direct operation by the council) to determine the best outcome for the council. Where third parties are to be used under a lease to negotiate and agree the terms of the lease or if there is a management agreement procure (for a management agreement), negotiate the contract terms and award the contract(s). This delegation shall include any grant of a lease at an undervalue if appropriate.

2)    That in relation to the Phase 1 Food Hall Contract authority be delegated to the Executive Director or Place, in consultation with the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Regeneration to approve the commencement and award of a concession contract or a management services contract under the Procurement Act 2023 in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

3)    That in relation to the Phase 1 Food Hall Fit Out authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Service Director Finance, the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Regeneration to procure and award the necessary contract(s) to complete the food hall fit out.

4)    That in relation to the SDP, Architect and Engineer Services, Extension of Appointments, subject to agreement on fees and in line with the council’s procurement process and Contract Procedure Rules, approval be given to the extension of the services being provided by the external Client construction delivery team (SDP, architect and the engineer) to progress the Phase 1 food hall fit out. The same delivery team is Our Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, Phase 1 Food Hall 2 providing the necessary services on Phase 1, Phase 2, the retail demolition and the rest of the feasibility work on the master plan.

5)    That in relation to Our Cultural Heart Committed Expenditure

(i)             approval be given to the further draw down of £3.0m from later phases of the OCH programme to fund the food hall fit out thereby increasing the committed expenditure for Phase 1 from £58.370m to £61.370m and for the overall programme from £136.983m to £139.983m.

(ii)            the potential revenue implications of the operation of the Food Hall, taking into account the current offer and using the latest available PWLB rates for borrowing be noted.

6)    That in relation to Agreements and Executing Documents authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning to negotiate, agree, enter into all agreements and enter into and execute any documents necessary to enable the delivery of the Our Cultural Heart food hall.