Kirklees

Kirklees is a borough in West Yorkshire, in northern England, with major towns including Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Holmfirth. Known for its textile heritage, green spaces and strong manufacturing and engineering base, Kirklees is a great place to live, work and invest.

Kirklees is known for its strong heritage, especially in textiles during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its proud history is woven into the fabric of its towns and villages. 

The borough is the birthplace of many famous artists, authors, musicians and actors. Notable figures include Sir Patrick Stewart, Jodie Whittaker, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and writer Sally Wainwright. 

What’s more, Kirklees has been part of UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities since 2022. This highlights its strengths in education, advanced manufacturing, and engineering.  

Castle Hill In Huddersfield

Why live, work or invest in Kirklees?

With a strong economy worth around £9.7 billion, Kirklees is a vibrant place to consider starting your career in or investing your business.  

There is particularly large industry growth across several key sectors. These include wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, health and education. 

If you're looking to study in the area, the University of Huddersfield is a great place to learn. The institution is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and is the only UK university where 100% of teaching staff are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. 

From jobs to culture, education and green spaces, Kirklees is the place to be and represents an integral part of West Yorkshire. 

£9.7b

strong, productive economy

15k +

businesses thrive in Kirklees

447k

residents

Frequently asked questions about Kirklees

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