'We're working together to stop roadworks ruining our town'

Ongoing roadworks have deterred visitors from shopping in Holmfirth's independent businesses

It's the market town best known as the setting of classic sitcom Last of the Summer Wine - yet life in Holmfirth this autumn is far from bucolic.

Traders claim they are losing up to 60% of their takings because a series of roadworks in the town centre are driving customers away from its renowned independent businesses.

The project, Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan (HTCAP), has seen roads closed to both vehicles and pedestrians.

The improvement works began last July and were meant to be finished by November - but there is no end in sight to the disruption.

Last week a petition was handed to Kirklees Council following the announcement of plans to shut Hollowgate next month.

Three independent shops have closed and profits have dropped by 40-60%, according to business owners.

Yet those remaining afloat have begun collaborating with and supporting each other to try and keep footfall high heading into the Christmas shopping season -

Works to improve Holmfirth began last July and were due to be completed in November - but are still ongoing.

The HTCAP is a £10.3m scheme to create a more accessible town centre.

It includes the demolition of the former market hall and extension of the adjacent Huddersfield Road car park.

Mary McGuigan is among the retailers to have already shut up shop.

"Footfall was down, sales were down," she tells the BBC.

As well as being "cut off", Mary's plant shop, Plants in the Holme, was also subject to dust from the works and noise pollution "for months on end".

"It was so debilitating," she continues.

"There was nothing I could have done about it - it was so upsetting."

The former business owner says the roadworks are "non-essential" and have been carried out at "a snail's pace".

"It is a dire situation.

"It is going to have a detrimental impact on businesses in the area - they are closing down or relocating."

Business owners in Holmfirth are urging customers to continue shopping in their stores

The discontent has brought traders together, and they are supporting each other through events such as quiz nights, festivals and late night opening.

They are even "cross-selling" each other's wares.

Beside the till at Sarah Mansell's Crystal Apothecary, a basket of toys, wooden carvings and trinkets provide a glimpse into what other stores in the town have to offer.

"I think collaboration is what we need to do, it is how we move forward," Sarah says.

"In the times that we are in, we work together, we support each other and we ride it out.

"It is such a hard time for everybody."

Lousie Ashmore says business owners in Holmfirth are collaborating "like never before" to mitigate the drop in footfall

Concerns have deepened since the council admitted the works would likely continue into 2026.

Nicola Radcliffe, who has run Nellie's Keepsake Co for 13 years, has called for more support.

"A lot of the businesses have really struggled; a lot have closed down and it is so sad to see.

"A bit of relief would not have gone amiss - even if it was worked out on a loan.

"We need them to support us now because we do not want to lose any more independents."

Louise Ashmore, the owner of bookshop Read, is urging potential customers to brave the roadworks and support the town.

"None of us like hitting red lights, we understand that - I would just say that actually when you do park up and explore the town it is not just any old high street.

"We are looking at late night opening for Christmas and whether we can work together as a team rather than in isolation.

"This has been a catalyst that has meant that lots of businesses now do work better together."

The Ship to Shore sea shanty singers are hoping their rhymes can attract people to Holmfirth despite roadworks in the town

There are even performances of sea shanties by local group Ship to Shore, who have been touring local businesses and other venues to raise spirits.

"We go all over the place; we could do morning coffee at Yellow Bear, lunch at Unity Yard, afternoon tea at Sid's Cafe and then early doors at Coopers Yard," says singer Sandra Atkinson.

"Just a little bit of an impact is brilliant, if everybody keeps rallying around, we will get more people coming.

"Holmfirth is a terrific place."

In a statement, Kirklees Council said it is "sorry" to hear about business closures.

"We know it has been a tough time for many.

"Improvement works inevitably mean disruption in the short term and this can be difficult.

"The works are part of a major investment to protect what makes Holmfirth special while making it safer, more attractive and easier to get around.

"We are creating the kind of place where local businesses can thrive for generations."

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