A Huddersfield travel agent has closed its branch in the Imperial Arcade, saying female staff did not feel safe working in the town-centre shopping passage and will relocate to Halifax Market.
Business moves out amid safety worries
Yorkshire Rose confirmed the decision to shut its Imperial Arcade shop and transfer trading to Halifax after staff raised concerns about their welfare during afternoon shifts. In a social media post, the company’s representative, Dave, said he would not keep employees in a place where they felt uncomfortable.
"My staff, my family, will always come first. If they don't feel safe I'm not going to put them in a position where they don't feel comfortable."
The company declined to provide further detail when asked what incidents had led staff to feel unsafe.
Traders give mixed reactions
Reaction from other arcade traders was split, with some disputing the travel shop’s assessment and others backing concerns about disorder in and around the arcade.
- Diversions owner Gareth Hughes said he has traded in the arcade for 15 years without issues and described it as "perfectly safe".
- Handmade in Huddersfield operator Ant Gotts described recent incidents, saying his shop had experienced fighting and threats and that elderly customers were sometimes too scared to pass through the arcade.
- Moda Imperiale, which previously closed its Imperial Arcade branch, said its decision came after burglary and damage to the shop.
Ant Gotts recounted incidents he said had occurred recently, including an altercation at lunchtime and a threat over the car park area, and said some customers were frightened to walk through the arcade.
Police and council involvement
Yorkshire Live sought comment from West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Council about the matters raised by Yorkshire Rose. Sergeant Graham Watson of the Huddersfield Proactive Town Centre Team was quoted as saying officers from the town centre team are conducting daily patrols.
| Organisation | Statement / Position |
|---|---|
| Yorkshire Rose | Closing Imperial Arcade shop; moving to Halifax citing staff safety concerns |
| Diversions (Gareth Hughes) | Has traded 15 years in arcade; considers it "perfectly safe" |
| Handmade in Huddersfield (Ant Gotts) | Reported recent fights, threats and customers too scared to pass through |
| Moda Imperiale | Previously left arcade after burglary and damage |
| West Yorkshire Police (Sgt Graham Watson) | Town centre officers conducting daily patrols |
The departures and concerns will be watched closely by other small businesses in Huddersfield. Arcades and covered shopping passages are often a lifeline for independent traders, and the loss of a tenant — particularly one that cites staff safety — risks denting footfall and confidence in an already challenged retail environment.
Local impact and questions for the council
While some traders say the arcade remains safe, others describe an escalation of anti-social behaviour, including violent incidents and intimidation. That split in views raises questions for Kirklees Council about patrol patterns, CCTV coverage and co-ordination with housing and street services to tackle persistent problems.
For now, Yorkshire Rose staff will move their operation to Halifax and Huddersfield’s Imperial Arcade loses another occupier. Whether the town-centre authorities can reassure traders and shoppers that the arcade is secure will be key to stopping a quiet slide from bruise to business exodus.
It’s a sorry state when firms start putting staff safety above historic civic pride, but you’ve got to respect that — better to make a quiet move to Halifax than carry on and hope for the best.
