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A landmark hotel in Huddersfield town centre could be set for major renovation works, The Business Desk reports. The historic George Hotel is subject to a formal planning application which would see an investment of £20 million to extend the number of bedrooms and upgrade the facilities.
According to Huddersfield Exposed, there has been a hotel at the site in the Market Place since 1687, which has been rebuilt over the years. The current hotel was designed by William Walker and built in 1851. The 60-bed hotel has an Italianate façade and is Grade II* listed.
The George is noted for its hosting of a meeting in 1895 which saw the birth of the Rugby Football League. 21 clubs from Yorkshire and Lancashire voted by a majority of 20 to 1 to break away from the Rugby Football Union and set up their own northern branch, which became the Rugby Football League in 1922.
Furthermore, The British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) began its existence at the George Hotel in 1973. The historic links to the game of rugby led to the Rugby League Heritage Centre being set up in the basement in 2005, which displayed rare memorabilia and footage from Rugby League games.
Since the hotel was closed in 2013, the British Rugby League Hall of Fame has been moved to the Heritage Centre. There were reports in 2020 that the exhibition could once again return to the disused George, although at present the plans remain uncertain.
According to the new plans, the Radisson Hotel Group are the favourites for operating the refurbished site. The ambitious refurbishment would see the number of bedrooms increased from 60 to 91, and the creation of conference facilities, with capacity for receptions, weddings, and business events on the lower ground floor.
There would also be a 70-seat restaurant and bar. The original façade of the building, which faces outwards towards St George’s Square, will be preserved, along with the five floors of the main block. However, additional blocks B and C are in a poor state of repairs, and will be partially demolished and reconstructed.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The George Hotel is a key part of Huddersfield’s heritage, and I am pleased we are ever closer to securing the future of this iconic building with a quality hotel operator.”
He added: “The future is bright for our town centres as long as we remain committed to investing in them and supporting businesses. Along with the Cultural Heart and other Blueprint projects, the George Hotel will cement Huddersfield as a great place to live, visit and do business in.”
Huddersfield is undergoing significant investment to improve the town centre and attract more shoppers and tourists to the area, under a ten-year plan known as the Huddersfield Blueprint. Kirklees Council have launched a public consultation for the plans for the George Hotel, which is open for public comments until the 9 December 2022.
