UP TO 30 retail and leisure outlets are in talks with Barnsley Council poised to sign up for space in the town centre’s prestigious Glass Works development, with nine at ‘critical advanced stages’, the Chronicle can reveal.
Council bosses were tight-lipped about exactly who was set to sign up, but among the nine at the advanced legal stages include major national operators, including an international restaurant chain and a clothing store which are both ‘household names’.
David Shepherd, the council’s service director for regeneration and property, told the Chronicle this week: “There are nine now at advanced stages, which does take time, but it is going very well.
“We’re still two-and-a-half years out from completion, and we already have a third of the scheme let (to Cineworld, Superbowl and Next).
“We have these nine at legal stage, but there’s another 20 we’re currently in talks with.
“We’ve done some analysis of other similar schemes in other areas, including Trinity in Leeds, Friars Walk in Newport and the Broadway in Bradford, and we’ve got more lettings than any of those did at this point in their schemes.”
David also revealed that some offers had already been rejected including from major national chains, as they were not deemed the ‘right fit’ for Barnsley.
“We have to get the quality right,” he said. “I think at every stage so far in this scheme, people have been able to see the quality improve.
“When we opened the temporary markets, people saw the quality standard go up.
“As we see the public realm improvements to the street scene, people will see the high level of quality in the finish and the materials.
“It hasn’t been a case of just build something quick.”
Phase one of the project includes the market hall, the first part of which opened yesterday with an official ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony taking place this morning, the new library, demolition of the multi-storey car park and the creation of the new public square which can only begin after the demolition of the multi-storey car park in January once all traders have moved back into the main market hall.
Phase two, the final stages of which are currently being negotiated, includes the building of the cinema to be operated by Cineworld, the bowling alley to be operated by Superbowl, and a major new Next store.
Phase two also includes new restaurants and the fit out of all the retail units fronting Cheapside and the new shopping boulevard.
Leader of the council Sir Steve Houghton said despite a slight delay to the overall completion, the project was progressing well.
“We are pleased with where we are,” he said.
“The biggest challenge to us in this difficult retail climate is clearly the lettings.
“What’s very positive is we’re still two-and-a-half years out from full completion, and we’ve got a third of the scheme let with a good number of further lettings at the advanced stages of legal negotiation.
“It’s the rents from letting these units which is in large part going to be paying for the scheme. We get income from three sources, rental income, parking income, and business rate income.
“It is a very exciting time, there are lots of very positive things going on in Barnsley and the council is right at the forefront of that.”
The new food hall, open today, is accessed from a new glass entrance in Cheapside, opposite Boots and Sports Direct. The food hall only will be open six days, from Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm and in a departure for Barnsley market, that includes Thusdays. The rest of the market will continue on its old opening hours but will assume the new hours once moved into its new home.
A temporary wall has been built at the back of the food hall separating it from the rest of the indoor market hall, which is not due to open until November 3.
The main market hall will be virtually full when it opens with almost all stalls already let. Of the 15 stalls in the food hall area, only six will be occupied from today but a further two are already signed up and due to open in the next few weeks, and several more are expected to open before the rest of the market opens in November.
Tomorrow’s official opening will include live entertainment, and a chance for shoppers to win £25 vouchers to spend in the new-look market.
