FAQs
What is the relationship with Holmfirth Business Together?
“Make It Your Holmfirth” is a place-marketing campaign created to promote Holmfirth town centre as somewhere to visit, shop, eat, drink, explore, work and spend time. The campaign, which started two years ago includes the website, place branding – ie lamp post banners , business map (printed and online) and social media activity. There has been 200K+ views on its social channels last few weeks alone.
The team working on it are made up of business owners in Holmfirth who have a marketing background.
The reference to collaboration with Holmfirth Business Together reflects the involvement and support of local business representatives during the campaign’s development. It was not intended to suggest that every member had been consulted on every element, or that every business in Holmfirth had formally approved the project. Lots of information about the work delivered as part of the campaign is also regularly shared on the business WhatsApp group
What is the aim of Your Holmfirth?
The aim is to promote Holmfirth, increase awareness of everything the town has to offer, encourage footfall and support the wider local economy.
Its focus isn’t on selected businesses or groups, it’s to the promote the town to benefit everyone. The businesses currently included on the website are mostly those that have submitted their details or become involved so far. Registration is open to all local businesses and is completely free: https://yourholmfirth.co.uk/business/
Every business is welcome to take part, and we would genuinely encourage more businesses to register and help shape how the platform develops.
How is this different from Holmfirth Info?
The Holmfirth Info website is a well-established and valuable platform provided by a private company. Your Holmfirth is not intended to undermine or replace it. The Your Holmfirth website already links visitors to Holmfirth Info as another useful source of local information.
The two platforms have different origins and roles, and there is every opportunity for them to complement one another.
Make It Your Holmfirth was developed as a broader place brand that can be used consistently across banners, visitor information, campaigns, events and promotional materials. Its scope includes businesses, but also heritage, culture, festivals, community organisations, residents and other activities that contribute to the town. . Your Holmfirth is not a business, – any surplus made or funding made go back into promoting the town. Its annual accounts are filed with Companies House and are publicly available.
How was the project presented to Kirklees Council?
The project was not presented as something that had been individually approved by every business in Holmfirth, and we would never claim that every business had signed it off.
It was developed with input from local businesses, community representatives and people with relevant experience who were trying to create something positive for the town. A considerable amount of the initial thinking, discussion and proposal development was undertaken voluntarily.
The intention was, and remains, to create a campaign that benefits Holmfirth as widely as possible. That does not mean every business will have been aware of every discussion, and it is clear that communication and opportunities for involvement can always be improved.
What is Holmfirth Forward’s role, and how was Redbak appointed?
Holmfirth Forward is a not-for-profit limited company established in 2019. It is made up of local people who who have a variety of interests in the town’s future and volunteer their time to support projects intended to improve and promote the town.
It provides a legal and accountable structure through which initiatives such as the market, tourism activity and Make It Your Holmfirth can be supported and delivered.
Kirklees ran a stringent procurement process when the idea of rebranding the town was first proposed. This resulted in Redbak being contracted to develop the place branding by Kirklees following their stringent procurement processes. Subsequent work has been commissioned where continuity of the established branding and knowledge of the project have been important. Any paid work is agreed and overseen through the relevant project and funding arrangements.
Is Redbak doing this purely for financial gain?
Redbak is a local commercial business, and we would never pretend that every piece of professional design, marketing or website work can be provided free of charge. Where specialist work is formally commissioned and funded, Redbak is paid for delivering that work.
However, the suggestion that the campaign was created purely for Redbak’s financial gain does not reflect the reality of their involvement.
Over many years, the Redbak team has voluntarily contributed a significant amount of time, professional expertise and practical support to Holmfirth. This includes attending meetings, helping community groups, supporting local events, developing ideas, producing promotional material and carrying out additional work that has not been charged for.
They do this because Holmfirth is their home and place of business. They simply want the town and its independent businesses to thrive, particularly through the disruption caused by the current town-centre works, as do all the volunteers who work on delivering the campaign.
There is no attempt to use local businesses or the roadworks as leverage for Redbak’s benefit. The purpose of seeking funding is to bring investment into Holmfirth and use professional expertise to help the town through a challenging period and beyond.
Got a question of your own?
The project may not be perfect, and we are always open to constructive questions and ideas. We would be happy to explain the arrangements in more detail, discuss how decisions are made and, most importantly, help more local businesses become involved.
Ultimately, everyone working on this wants the same thing: a busy, successful and welcoming Holmfirth that people are proud to visit, live in and do business.
