Council accused of being in ‘panic mode’ as library to move for first time since Second World War

Cllr Bernard McGuin, (Con, Almondbury) spoke out after it was revealed that after 80 years, Huddersfield’s Library will be housed in a different location.

Kirklees Libraries, which is currently located in Huddersfield’s Library and Art Gallery building on Princess Alexandra walk, has been in use since the Second World War. It will move up the road to the Customer Service Centre building opposite Huddersfield Bus Station in January next year, where it will be co-located with the customer services team until the new library is completed in Spring 2026.

Whilst this was already factored in to make way for the £210m Cultural Heart programme, the move has been brought forward as the library requires some urgent and costly maintenance works including those to the roof.

Cllr McGuin expressed concern that the library move had been “agreed quietly with no consultation.” He added: “The library in Huddersfield has been known to be in disrepair for years, hence the art gallery closure. There are difficulties heating the building and an extortionate amount of money goes on energy costs.

“Sources tell me that a lot of work is needed to make the building right. As it is listed, Kirklees have to keep the fabric in good order.

“It looks like the administration is in panic mode but won’t face up to the mounting costs of the Huddersfield Cultural Heart or Blueprint. Current expenditure looks to be bearing the brunt of savings and face is trying to be saved on the massive capital spending involved in the town centre project.”

The Cultural Heart project comes as part of the £250m Huddersfield Blueprint – a 10-year-long project that aims to create a modern, thriving town centre. However, earlier this year, upon the reveal of the council’s £34m overspend, Cllr Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services said that the delivery of the Cultural Heart would be taking on a “phased” approach, meaning the project could potentially take longer to be delivered. The moving of the library features in the first phase of the plans.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “The temporary relocation of Huddersfield Library has been an integral part of the Cultural Heart project from the start and has been endorsed by the council’s Cabinet. The new library is part of our plan to bring a new food hall and outdoor event space to the centre of the town in the first phase of the transformation.

“The current library building needs considerable maintenance to keep it fit for purpose. This includes major roof repairs which are difficult to manage with the library in situ. It’s much more efficient to relocate the library now rather than invest in the repairs and then immediately redevelop the building as part of the wider Cultural Heart project. By bringing forward the library move, we can reduce the major construction work from two projects to one as well as reducing energy costs. In the current financial climate, that’s the right thing to do.

“The temporary library will continue to deliver a range of services, this includes being a warm space for residents affected by the cost of living crisis alongside the 23 branches also serving as warm spaces in our towns and villages across Kirklees.”

Cllr Paul Davies said: “Huddersfield Library has been open since the second world war and is held dear by many thousands of residents across the district.

“I’m excited about the move into a brand new state-of-the-art library in Spring 2026, and hope that people will visit Kirklees Libraries in its temporary location whilst the work takes place.

“I encourage people to take the opportunity to visit the existing library before the move, to share their stories and memories at any of the planned events this month.”

Cllr John Lawson (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said: “It’s vital that the relocation of the Library goes smoothly and that individuals and groups have a full service during that period. I’m not aware of any consultation having taken place but hope that all users have been made aware of the changes in advance.”

“Council must recognise and act on the opportunity to enhance the Library when it is reinstated. We need reassurance that any challenges thrown up by alterations must be met head on instead of compromising the service.”