Completion date for city centre hotel pushed back

The regeneration of a Grade II* listed hotel in Huddersfield has been delayed, with Yorkshire's first Radisson RED now expected to open later than planned.

Kirklees Council had expectd work on The George Hotel to be completed by the end of next year but the date has been pushed back to summer 2028.

Famed for being the birthplace of rugby league, the building is being transformed into a 108-room hotel with a bar, restaurant and gym.

David Wildman, the council's director for skills and regeneration, said the restoration project would secure the building's long-term future, "protect its heritage significance and act as a catalyst for wider investment in the town centre and local economy."

Plans for the restoration, which were originally introduced in 2023 and later approved, have faced a number of challenges, including structural problems and the discovery of asbestos in the basement.

This led to the cost of the project increasing from £20m to £30m, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Wildman said: "As with any major restoration project involving a historic Grade II* listed building, unforeseen issues can emerge during construction that require additional investigation or remedial works.

"These can affect both programme and cost, and the council will continue to actively manage these risks as the project progresses."

Once building work is complete, the hotel will undergo a soft opening period for Radisson RED to welcome guests back to the George Hotel, he added.

The George, which dates back to 1851, has stood empty since 2013.

It was acquired by the council in 2020 as part of wider plans to regenerate the town centre.

Despite concerns raised by some councillors, the authority has maintained that it will see a return on its investment into the hotel.

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