PLANS for a hotel with bar and restaurant are being mooted for the site which once housed Chicago Rock.
The iconic grade II listed building, which was on the corner of New Street and Pall Mall, was gutted by fire and demolished in August 2016.
The site has been standing empty since, and is currently being used as a car park.
But Umar Hussain, a director of Southmill Properties Group which owns the site, met with regeneration officers at Barnsley Council yesterday to discuss future options, the favoured being a hotel, with bar and restaurant.
Umar, who is based in London, said he had been advised by the council to wait until 2020, which is when the regeneration of the town centre is due to be completed.
He said: “We are temporarily letting the car park to a private individual, but in due course we will hopefully, if the council has the funds, be doing a joint venture to do a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, with a three or four storey hotel above. It’s close to the town centre and will bring in revenue for the council and the borough.
“It all depends on the council’s budget. We have got to wait until 2020 to see if the money is there. By 2020, the council should know what funds are available.
“The council is very supportive. It’s said it is not ideal for retail and there is no demand for residential flats or offices.
“The future is looking bright. By 2020, we will know where we stand with that particular site.
“It was a shame to lose the building, but if we can develop the site then we might be able to get some revenue from the ashes.
“It will be ideal for working professionals or anyone coming in to the town for the day or evening.”
Umar said he would consider leasing the car park to the council in the meantime, and was also considering keeping it as a car park in 2020 if the council wanted to.
Chicago Rock stood as a landmark in Barnsley town centre since the late 1800s.
It is remembered by many as the home of the Co-operative but enjoyed many short-lived guises over recent years after the American-themed Chicago Rock closed in May 2013 when owner Atmosphere Bars and Clubs Ltd went into administration.
In August 2016 it was under refurbishment and was set to become Regency Bar and Grill on the ground floor with a soft play area or laser quest on the upper floors.
But the roof, windows and interior were gutted by the fire and the building was demolished on safety gropunds.
Umar said the company had not yet been paid out by insurers.
