Dewsbury Market and Park, Dewsbury for Kirklees Council with BDP

Dewsbury Market and Park, Dewsbury for Kirklees Council with BDP

Redevelopment plans for Dewsbury Market on Cloth Hall Street in the town centre. BDP’s architects, engineers, landscape architects, and planners worked with Kirklees Council to design and create a vibrant, inclusive, social space where people can expect value for money and the best possible shopping experience.There are two major elements to this project: the Edwardian Market Hall and the outdoor market.

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people.

The project is centred on revitalising the existing Dewsbury Market building and its surrounding public spaces, creating a vibrant urban park and market square that celebrates the town’s rich heritage and diverse community. Dewsbury, historically known for its textile industry, is deeply connected to its industrial past, particularly through the presence of Dewsbury Beck and the mills that once thrived along its banks. The Beck, now culverted, is reimagined in the design through water features and landscaping that pay homage to its historical significance.
 
The site is strategically located within a ten-minute walk from Dewsbury train station, Town Hall, and Kirklees College, ensuring accessibility for residents, students, and visitors. The surrounding area includes residential zones, mixed-use spaces, green areas, and the River Calder, making the market a central hub for the community. The design integrates the town’s multicultural identity, with paving and street furniture inspired by textile patterns and industrial reliefs, symbolising the diversity of Dewsbury’s people. The project aims to create an inclusive space that caters to all age groups, with features such as a play area inspired by Dewsbury’s textiles heritage , a water feature, reflecting Dewsbury Beck, and spaces for public events, markets, and performances. The planting strategy enhances biodiversity and provides a green buffer to mitigate urban pollution. By blending historical elements with modern design, the project seeks to foster community engagement, celebrate Dewsbury’s layered identity, and establish the market and park as a vibrant focal point for the town.
 

Please describe your approach to this future public realm, including its purpose and motivation. How does it knit into, and serve the needs of, the wider area? 

The approach to the future public realm at Dewsbury Market is focused on creating a multifunctional, high-quality urban park that complements the revitalized market and serves the wider community. The project is part of the Dewsbury Blueprint and Town Investment Plan, supported by the government’s Towns Fund, which aims to enhance the town’s vibrancy, attractiveness, and accessibility.
 
The public realm is designed to improve visual amenity, encourage dwell time, and support retail activity in the town centre. It will provide a pleasant space with seating, rest areas, and urban greening to enhance wellbeing and connections to nature. The inclusion of an inclusive play area, mixed planting, pedestrian routes, and a water feature ensures the space caters to all age groups and abilities, promoting physical health, active travel, and play. The public realm will knit into the wider area by improving connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, linking key town landmarks such as Dewsbury Town Hall, Kirklees College, and the train station. Priority routes, such as Kingsway Arcade and Foundry Street, will be enhanced to guide movement and improve accessibility. Safety and community perception are addressed through natural surveillance, functional lighting, and measures to reduce anti-social behaviour.
 
By integrating heritage-inspired design elements, such as paving and street furniture reflecting Dewsbury’s textile history, the project fosters civic pride and celebrates the town’s multicultural identity. This thoughtful approach ensures the public realm serves as a central hub for social, economic, and environmental wellbeing in Dewsbury.

Please explain the governance of the project, describing its viability and any consultation and community engagement undertaken. 

The governance of the Dewsbury Market project is structured to ensure its viability and alignment with community needs through extensive consultation and engagement. The project is led by Kirklees Council, which has actively involved local stakeholders, residents, and community groups in shaping the design and functionality of the public realm. This participatory approach ensures the development reflects the aspirations and requirements of the diverse community it serves.
 
Community engagement has been a cornerstone of the project, with consultations conducted to gather input on the design, functionality, and cultural elements of the space. Feedback from these sessions has informed key aspects of the project, such as the inclusion of a play area inspired by Dewsbury’s textile heritage, a water feature reflecting Dewsbury Beck, and the integration of artistic elements like the sculpture of the Greek Goddess Hestia, created by a locally born artist Zachary Eastwood-Bloom. Further artist engagement has been conducted with Kerry Lemon, which has helped inspire the design of the patchwork embellishments in seating and the paving. These features aim to resonate with the community’s identity and foster a sense of pride and belonging. 
 
The project’s viability is supported by its strategic location, connecting town landmarks such as Dewsbury Town Hall, Kirklees College, and the train station. This ensures accessibility and encourages footfall, which is vital for the economic sustainability of the market and surrounding businesses. The use of durable, locally sourced materials where practicable and sustainable practices enhance the project’s long-term feasibility, reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.