Council stumps up £120m for leisure development
Barnsley Council is committing a further £70m on top of its original commitment to a major leisure development in the town.
The council, in association with developers Queensberry, are investing a total of £120m in the retail-led mixed-use scheme The Glass Works, fully funding the project.
Shops, restaurants, a multiplex cinema and bowling alley, as well as a new home for Barnsley’s historic markets and a library.
Development managers Queensberry also announced the first occupiers, with Cineworld agreeing a 20 year lease for a 13 screen multiplex cinema and Superbowl UK taking 18,000 sq ft also on a 20 year lease.
In addition to bowling, Superbowl UK will bring its Laser Quest and Crazy Club soft play offer.
Barnsley Council Leader Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE 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 £70m in addition to the £50m already committed making a total investment of £120m, 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.
“We have received an impressive level of interest from occupiers, and are very pleased to announce Cineworld and Superbowl UK as The Glass Works’ first confirmed occupiers. They will bring a strong leisure offer into the heart of the scheme that will appeal to all ages throughout the day and into the evening. We’re looking forward to making further key occupier announcements in the coming weeks and months.”
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.
