Regeneration and investment in Barnsley town centre creates over new 1,000 jobs

Barnsley’s “thriving” town centre is bucking the national trend with 76 per cent of its shops proving successful and surviving beyond their third birthday.

The “impressive” survival rate of shops in Barnsley is a marked improvement from the 44 per cent survival rate recorded in 2017. It has helped to cement Barnsley as the sixth-best town in the UK for post-COVID recovery in terms of footfall and spending.

Barnsley Council’s business support throughout the pandemic and regeneration of the town centre is said to have played a “huge role” in the sustained success of popular shops such as Closet Queen, Dolly’s Desserts, Marshmallow Blends and Blackford Sports, which have all survived past their third birthday.

In recent years, Barnsley has made strategic investments in its town centre, including the “major modernisation” of Barnsley Markets in 2018, opening Library @ the Lightbox in 2019 and launching The Glass Works in 2021.

This redevelopment, alongside a programme of free family-friendly events, has been a “great success”, attracting major retail brands such as Flannels, River Island, TK Maxx and Next. Footfall in December 2022 was 46 per cent higher than the same month in 2021 and the total annual footfall was over six million in 2022.

Overall, the investments have created around 1,100 full-time jobs, as well as the combination of new, existing and temporary construction jobs throughout their completion.

Barnsley’s leisure offer is also booming and is now the biggest draw on the high street, having increased by 2.8 per cent since 2017, faster than the GB average at 2.2 per cent. The additions of Superbowl UK and Cineworld, alongside the likes of Fridays, Coffee Boy, The Botanist and Nando’s, has revitalised the town centre and helped support new and existing businesses.

Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, commented: “The success of 2022 has helped drive our local economy forward, despite the struggles many are facing due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“I am proud that we have been able to invest in our town centre and continue supporting our local businesses and communities over the last few years. There is a real sense of pride, resilience, and positivity coursing through Barnsley right now.”

Kevin Parkin, owner of Blackfords Barnsley, a specialised team and work-wear supplier located in the Victorian Arcade, added: “The regeneration of Barnsley town centre has been fantastic. We’ve definitely seen a big increase in footfall which can only mean good things for our business.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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