There are some long-established and popular shops, a bar that opens until 6am, restaurants - and no shortage of takeaways. Over the years, businesses have come and gone but the overall 'vibe' along Cross Church Street in Huddersfield town centre has remained fairly constant. It's a busy thoroughfare and there are shoppers who have been visiting hardware store C Booth & Son - originally and ironmongers and cutlers - for many years.
Althams Travel, one of Huddersfield's oldest independent town centre firms, is also one of the long-standing stalwarts. But quite a few names have disappeared over the years. Go back to 2008 you would find: a bar called Flying Circus; a DVD shop called Videotech; a grill bar called Malaika's; a bar called Isaacs; a base for The Labour Party; Walmsley's furniture store, and Burger King on the corner.
More recent businesses include Istanbul Barkers, African grocery store Onyeisi, Middle Eastern restaurant Ugarit, Indian/Kerralan restaurant Veppura, and a bar/club called Hush that opens from 9pm to 6am on 'student Wednesdays' and on Fridays and Saturdays. There's also an Oriental supermarket and a noodle bar. Shoppers have mixed opinions on what Cross Church Street has to offer.
Skye, 16, said Cross Church Street lacked 'vibe' and needed sprucing up to make it a bit more appealing. And she said the town centre would improve with the addition of fashion stores such as Zara and H&M. She also said that the area had a reputation for being 'dangerous'.
Howa.
