Derelict Pioneer House returning to its former glory

Pioneer House has dominated the skyline in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, since 1878. But the building was neglected and unoccupied for years after it was bought by a company in 2005.

The company’s project never took off and the listed building’s condition deteriorated rapidly.

Kirklees Council took over the site because remedial work was urgently needed. Now, the prominent local landmark is started to look as remarkable as it once did after eight weeks of building restoration work.

Although the council had resources to repair the West Yorkshire building, it had to work closely with other expert organisations to bring it back to full use.

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust said that Pioneer House is a striking building of historic, social and architectural importance that could not be left to ruin because it can provide a viable use for future generations.


Stone Edge, a Lancashire-based stone masonry company, carried out the necessary stonework.

Stephen Boardman, of Stone Edge, said: “Having worked on the prestigious Pioneer House Building for the past eight weeks, we are well on the way with the conservation and restoration works.

“Locally sourced Crosland Hill stone, quarried from nearby Huddersfield, has now been delivered to site and is in the process of being installed, to bring back Pioneer House to its former glory.”

Pioneer House was originally built for the Dewsbury Pioneers’ Industrial Society.

Over the years it became home to a wide variety of tenants including a theatre, cinema, library, French polishers, butchers, cobblers and an Italian restaurant.

Plans for the restored building include retail units on the ground floor and an area on the upper levels for new ‘start-up’ companies.

For more information on this project, visit http://www.stone-edge.co.uk.