NOTICE:
Public Consultation on Globe Mills Regeneration
6:00pm-8:00pm, Monday 28th January,
3M Buckley Innovation Centre, Firth street, Huddersfield, HD1 3BD
RSVP davidb@hartleyinvestment.com
with Cllr Paul Salveson, Colne Valley Area Committee, Kirklees Council (chairing)
Alan Lewis CBE, Chairman of Hartley Group
Bob Cryan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield
As the long-term owners of the Globe since 1983, the Hartley Group has always been keen to see it flourish as a major provider of jobs. In the 1980s and 1990s, substantial sums were invested in new equipment and processes to keep the mills competitive during those decades, before the blow of the UK foot-and-mouth outbreak, and the rise of east Asian textiles, finally forced the mill to close in 2006. Since then, Hartley has been exploring numerous possibilities with Kirklees Council, to try to bring the site back into productive use. Throughout this period, Hartley Group has had regular discussions with the local Slaithwaite Renaissance and Transition Towns community groups.
Now, having brought together private investors and leading experts, we are pleased to be able to announce a vision of restoring Globe Mills as a vibrant hub for jobs and business, including an exciting 54,000 square foot innovation centre in partnership with the University of Huddersfield, and international technology company 3M, which is intended to establish Slaithwaite as a beacon of entrepreneurship and build on the reputation of Kirklees as a hub of environmental technology.
Hartley has been regenerating its former mill buildings across Yorkshire, and we want the Globe site to maintain its local charm. That is why we are keen to offer local businesses first option on lettings within the site.
Further to the discussion at the most recent meeting of the Slaithwaite Area Committee, we would like to invite the interested residents and business-owners of Slaithwaite to meet directly with the Chairman of Hartley Group, so that we can explain our ideas in more detail, answer your questions and consider any comments from you.
As the innovation centre concept is key to the entire development, we would like to hold this meeting at the nearby University of Huddersfield’s new “3M Buckley Innovation Centre” – with which the Globe Innovation Centre would be associated – so that the people of Slaithwaite can understand exactly what we are trying to achieve with Globe.
The centre is a 15-minute walk (one mile) from Huddersfield train station; or free on-site parking will be available for those who would prefer to drive or car-pool. For any Slaithwaite residents who would like to attend but who will have difficulty using either of those two forms of transport, we shall also be providing a complimentary 49-seater coach leaving the Globe car park on Bridge Street (round the back of the main Globe Mill building) at 5:30pm and returning you from Huddersfield for approximately 8:30 pm.
Please email
davidb@hartleyinvestment.com to confirm your attendance. Please say if you would like to use the coach, so we can make sure there are enough seats for everyone.
This meeting is intended to be part of the ongoing dialogue – rather than its conclusion. As part of the pre-planning process, a follow-up meeting will be held in Slaithwaite once you have had time to consider the announcements and answers given in this preliminary Huddersfield one. In the interim, Hartley would also welcome any written suggestions you might have.
