THE OLD Chicago Rock has found a new lease of life as a car park.
The iconic Grade-II listed building was gutted by fire and demolished in August last year.
Since then, the site has stood empty, until Barnsley businessman Wayne Hadfield decided to lease it from the owners and transform it into ‘the people’s car park’.
Entry to the car park is off Pall Mall and spaces are available in both the old club car park and in the space where Chicago Rock once stood.
The site is being run by Wayne’s son Tom, who gives raffle tickets giving entry and exit times to users.
Tickets can be bought by the hour, day or week and it is open to both cars and vans.
Tom said the venture has started to become popular since first opening three weeks ago, as word of mouth has spread.
It is similar to one the family ran a few years ago off Old Mill Lane, which Tom said was closed by the council due to access issues.
Tom said: “This one is in a good spot. It is mainly students from the college at the moment because it is half the price. We are offering a day for £2.50 and I think the council charges £5.
“If anyone is ever five or ten minutes late back I’ll be right with them about it.
“We have had a couple of people come saying the car park used to be used by people using the Polish Library, as per an agreement before we leased it.
“I wasn’t here for the first couple of weeks but the man who was looking after it before said it has really picked up towards Christmas.”
The car park is open 8am-6pm.
An application, 2017/1507, is currently under consideration by Barnsley Council for the car park’s extension.
A spokeswoman for Barnsley Council said discussions with the site owner about potential redevelopment options are still ongoing, but in the meantime, it will continue to be used as a car park.
