Barnsley Council invests further £70m in Glass Works retail scheme

Barnsley Council and Queensberry have announced a further £70 million will be invested in the Glass Works, a £120 million retail-led scheme which is aimed at transforming the heart the town.

The Glass Works is located on a 3.8 hectare site around Cheapside and will provide a 590,000 sq. ft. family-led day time and night time offer, including a range of new shops; restaurants; multiplex cinema and bowling; alongside a brand new home for the region’s historic markets; a cutting-edge central library; and quality public realm.

The authority has already committed £50 million to fund the first phase of the scheme and has now committed to fund the remainder of the scheme, bringing its total investment to deliver this transformational development to £120 million.

Commenting on the second investment, Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton, Barnsley Council leader, said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be funding the delivery of The Glass Works, the new and exciting leisure and retail scheme in Barnsley town centre. We are investing another £70 million in addition to the £50 million already committed making a total investment of £120 million, giving Barnsley something it has lacked for a long time. This has been a priority for the council for many years now and we are finally moving forward and giving Barnsley what it deserves; a vibrant town centre.

“We haven’t taken this decision lightly; we’re confident that it is the right thing to do and will contribute towards building a thriving economy. An investment like this will stimulate inward investment, economic growth and create more and better jobs by providing around 800 new retail and leisure opportunities and temporary jobs in the construction industry.

 “Throughout the development we have maintained that we will keep the markets at the heart of it all and the final design for The Glass Works shows we have stayed true to our word, while at the same time adding in the modern retail, restaurants and leisure offer. We’re also making progress with our ambitious plans for the wider town centre to bring the whole of Barnsley up to date to make it a popular visitor destination.”

Stuart Harris, commercial director and co-founder of Queensberry, said: "We’ve reached a major milestone in the delivery of The Glass Works. By committing to fund the second phase of the scheme, Barnsley Council has taken the type of proactive and innovative approach needed by forward-thinking local authorities.”