Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and its development manager Queensberry have today made a major funding and occupier announcement about The Glass Works, Barnsley – the retail-led scheme that will transform the heart of one of Yorkshire’s best-loved towns. Having already committed £50 million to fund the first phase of the scheme, Barnsley Council has now committed to fund the remainder of the scheme, bringing its total investment to £120 million.
The Glass Works is located on a 3.8 hectare site around Cheapside and will provide 590,000 sq ft of family-led day and night time retail and leisure uses. The development will include a range of new shops, restaurants, a multiplex cinema and bowling, alongside a brand-new home for Barnsley’s historic markets, a cutting-edge central library and quality public realm.
Alongside the funding announcement, development manager Queensberry also announced the first occupier as Superbowl UK, which has taken 18,000 sq ft, on a 20-year lease. In addition to bowling, Superbowl UK will bring its Laser Quest and Crazy Club soft play offer.
Marking the occasion, Barnsley Council Leader Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton 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.”
While construction is ongoing on the first phase of the scheme, Queensberry and Turner and Townsend, as development managers, will shortly submit a planning application for Phase 2. The scheme is scheduled for completion in May 2020.
