New market set to open as first phase of regeneration scheme completes

A market in Barnsley is set to officially open this weekend, a part of the multi-million-pound 3.8 hectare redevelopment of the town centre.

Traders from Barnsley’s meat and fish market are set to move into their brand-new home in Barnsley Market this weekend. It will be the first official opening under The Glass Works regeneration scheme.

Funded by Barnsley Council, the old Metropolitan Centre has been modernised and will now become the new home of the town’s illustrious markets. The new food hall will boast 15 units on the ground floor and is expected to become a hub for town centre shoppers.

Six of the market’s existing food traders will move in, including three butchers, two fishmongers and one deli. Advanced discussions are also taking place with a further four new food traders, who will move in over the coming months, including Unit 12 – the largest unit available.

The opening event will reveal the new space to shoppers who will benefit from the wider aisles and the purpose-built stalls which respond to the individual needs of each trader. The food market will be opened by the Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor Steve Green, and the Leader of the Council, Sir Stephen Houghton.

There will also be an opportunity to enjoy The Glass Works virtual reality experience.

The temporary markets will remain trading until the end of October, before the non-food traders then also move to the renovated Metropolitan Centre on Saturday 3 November.

As part of the move, the market’s opening hours will be extended, with the new market open from 8:30am-5pm and the addition of Thursdays.