The £6 million transformation of Elland town centre is now complete, with aims of ensuring it remains a thriving, safe and enjoyable place to spend time.
The completion of work at Southgate was the final step in this ambitious project, which was made possible with over £6 million of funding from the UK Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
Representatives from Calderdale Council and the contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, marked the overall project completion with an official visit to see the transformation first-hand in August 2024 – Elland Market, the main high street area and the new Elland Community Hub.
As part of the Council’s priority for thriving towns and places, the work in Elland aimed to make it easier and more pleasant for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy all the things to see and do in the town centre.
Investment in Elland’s marketplace has been a key part of the project, preserving the town’s heritage – it first hosted a market in the 12th century. To ensure this remains a welcoming and vibrant part of the high street for generations to come, the Market Square area has been upgraded, with new local stone flags and anchor points to secure the stalls. The revamped market reopened in February 2024. The improvement of Victoria Gardens next to the market, with new trees and plants, gives people an attractive place to sit, relax and socialise.
The transformation of the high street is making it more appealing to shoppers and people enjoying their leisure time in Elland. Southgate, the main shopping street, has been improved between the junction with Victoria Road and the junction with Westgate and Northgate. There are wider footpaths, new level crossings, new local stone flags, anti-skid surfaces, granite setts, benches to rest and meet, and street trees and plants that make the area more attractive and help drain away rainwater for flood resilience, as part of the Council’s climate action priority.
The main high street area is now mainly for people who are walking or cycling. Limited loading is available for residents and businesses and there is access for private off-street parking. Timber Street car park can now be accessed from Victoria Road / Southgate.
There are new drop-off bays and parking for people with disabilities on Coronation Street, with a ramped footpath providing safe, step-free access to the high street.
The former Cartwheel Club has been completely refurbished, and the brand new community facility in the heart of Elland opened in May 2024. Run by the Elland Community Hub Committee, it is being used for events, meetings and office space, bringing local people together in a vibrant building. Set to become a symbol of community spirit in Elland, the Hub is expected to play a crucial role in the future growth of the town.
The Future High Streets work in Elland factors in the benefits that will be felt from the creation of the town’s planned new rail station, improved options for walking, cycling and catching the bus, and for greener, faster and easier ways to get around. This supports the Council’s active travel work and helps tackle the climate emergency.
Cllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “2024 has already seen the grand openings of Elland Community Hub and the revamped market, and now we’re thrilled to celebrate the overall completion of the transformation work across the town centre.
“Elland is a real treasure in Calderdale’s mix of towns and places. The Council, residents and local businesses are ambitious for the area, and based on community feedback over several years, the Future High Streets projects are helping to sustain Elland as a thriving town for years to come, with an improved layout and feel.
“As Elland is a conservation area, with special historic interest, we have worked to carefully protect and enhance the many heritage features that people love in the town.”
Diane Bourne, Managing Director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering, added: “We’re incredibly proud to have delivered these significant upgrades to Elland’s historic marketplace as well as completing these new community facilities for future generations to enjoy. The team has worked closely with Calderdale Council and the local community and stakeholders to ensure the works are both sympathetic to the town’s history and will also stand the test of time. It’s great to see them open and being used by the public.”
