Kirklees District Department Of Social Services

The Kirklees District Department of Social Services is an early 19th-century building constructed of ashlar stone. It stands three storeys tall and features a modillion eaves cornice and a blocking course. The facade includes seven ranges of sash windows, with the central three slightly projecting and topped by a pediment that has an oval oculus in the tympanum. There is a canted corner facing Wood Street, and the building has raised quoins.

The ground floor of the central three bays displays blind arcading with moulded voussoirs and a continuous moulded impost band. On either side of these bays, there is a Tuscan pilastrade with a full entablature. Above the first floor, there is a plain band, while the three central first-floor windows are adorned with moulded surrounds and cornices. Although the door is modern, it is located in the original opening and features lightly vermiculated jambs and voussoirs with a square channelled design.

The other elevations are made of plain hammer-dressed stone, except for the ground floor on the Byron Street side, where the pilastrade continues, alternating with stretches of blind wall that are horizontally rusticated and end with a round-arched sash window. Historically, this building was formerly known as the George Inn, originally located on the north side of the Market Place. It was dismantled by Sir John William Ramsden, 5th Baronet, in 1850 to make way for John William Street and was then re-erected at its current location. The inn was later replaced by the George Hotel.