About us
What is “Make It Your Holmfirth”?
“Make it Your Holmfirth” highlights the best of what Holmfirth has to offer, from its picturesque landscapes to its vibrant community life. The campaign, developed by design agency Redbak, in collaboration with Holmfirth Forward Ltd, features captivating images that depict the town’s scenic beauty, historic architecture, and lively cultural scene. This campaign aims to attract more visitors, support local businesses, and enhance the overall image of Holmfirth as a dynamic place to live, work, and visit.
What does Holmfirth Forward do?
Holmfirth Forward brings together those who have legitimate interests in the future of Holmfirth and are prepared to work together to promote the town as a place to spend time and money, be with others and have fun by:
- Promoting its attractions and heritage values, facilities, uniqueness and independence and its businesses, festivals and events
- Initiating new events, activities and campaigns aimed at attracting people into the town centre
- Providing co-ordination and links to groups, businesses and organisations active in the town
- Encouraging new businesses to the town
- Working with and drawing together other groups, bodies, agencies and individuals with similar aims
Activities
Runs the community market.
Since 2023, Holmfirth Forward has successfully operated and grown the Community Market and is working closely with Kirklees Council to ensure the move to its new location is smooth. Our aim is to grow the market by increasing the range of produce on offer so it becomes a major draw to the town centre.
https://holmfirthcommunitymarket.org.uk/
Make it Your Holmfirth
Holmfirth Forward supports the MIYH team which promoted Holmfirth in the run up to Christmas and is working on a major campaign, with the support of Kirklees to attract people back into town at the end of the road works. This has comprised modern social media content in addition to the physical promotional material associated with the new Make it Your Holmfirth brand.
Holmfirth Forward has produced four versions of the town centre map. Work is underway to update it in readiness for the ‘Back to Holmfirth’ Campaign. The digital version, which provides far more information about the town centre and its businesses and services, is currently in development.
Project Initiation
Holmfirth Forward has applied for grants of behalf of new projects, including, the Mural, Heritage Week and Holmfirth Pride, and provides the administrative support such as the creation of policies and legal and accounting systems required by grant providers, such as the Parish Council. Holmfirth Forward is registered with the Kirklees Council’s GAP scheme.
Holmfirth Forward, on behalf of a consortium of groups, has submitted an expression of interest in becoming the Town of Culture 2028.
Early discussions are underway about how we can benefit from the Tour de France Femmes which is coming close to the town in 2027.
Membership
Holmfirth Forward brings together groups and events, including the Conservation Group, Civic Society, local church, Tourism Partnership, festivals including the Festival of Folk, Food and Drink Festival, Arts Festive and Heritage Week, as well as residents, businesses, members of the District and Parish Council, employers and property owners.
Networking
Holmfirth Forward is contributing to the work of the Parish Council’s Local Plan Reference Group which is providing early responses to the Council with the hope of influencing the Local Plan’s contents at an early stage.
Holmfirth Forward is a member of the National Association of British Market Authorities. This provides legal and practical support and access to a large network of market operators, including local authorities, commercial operators and community led markets.
Holmfirth Forward is a member of Civic Voice which brings together civic associations across the country. Its main interest is the use of heritage to promote places’ economic activity and influence planning.
As part of the Institute of Place Management, Holmfirth Forward is involved in a network of leading academics and practitioners in place management and place leadership. This gives access to a considerable wealth of knowledge and involvement in research projects and case studies. This involvement maintains Holmfirth’s profile nationally as a successful High Street which is constantly evolving and adapting.
Holmfirth is an internationally known place. Its reputation and its large number of independents have been the main reasons for Holmfirth not suffered the same fate as many towns. But we know there is a lot of potential for further improvement and we are keen to realise it.
View latest Holmfirth Forward meeting minutes here
