NEGOTIATIONS will take place between council bosses and Sheffield City Region to set out a plan for the next stage of proposals to create a town centre digital hub for businesses.
The Core, a building on County Way, has been bought by the council and is currently the subject of a tender process ahead of its proposed £1.5m refurbishment - with plans to create a second Digital Media Centre (DMC2) following its success.
The original Digital Media Centre, which stands opposite The Core, is now at capacity and houses more than 60 businesses - something which the council want to replicate to entice start-ups and expanding firms into the centre as the wider £180m regeneration continues.
A grant of more than £2m has been earmarked for the project by Sheffield City Region for the refurbishment of The Core with Barnsley Council’s cabinet members approving the funding at a meeting on Wednesday.
The Chronicle recently revealed the council’s ambition for County Way which includes a hotel, up to 200 homes and the digital business hub which is expected to create about 350 jobs.
Coun Roy Miller, cabinet spokesman, said: “This is brilliant news for Barnsley as this scheme will unlock the digital and creative potential of the borough.
“DMC2 will not only help existing tech businesses expand, but it will help attract new businesses to the region. It will hugely benefit our community, as it will create more job opportunities in a growing industry.”
The location, the council says, is ideally situated in the town centre due to its attractive transport links and the DMC’s track record of providing high-quality office space for digital and creative businesses is something it wants to replicate at The Core, previously occupied by Voluntary Action Barnsley (VAB).
A council spokesperson added: “The DMC is currently at full occupancy with many companies on the waiting list. Due to this success, there is a demand for more available space.
“DMC2 will provide the space required, supporting the creation of a digital campus to encourage modern high-tech businesses to expand and move to the town.
“The project will refurbish The Core, which will be remodelled to create a fit-for-purpose space. The new facility will also have workspaces and lab environments to support digital start-ups.
“The development will increase the number of digital tech companies and digital jobs available in the borough.
“Barnsley Council now wants to enter negotiations with Sheffield City Region to accept a £2.125m grant. This grant will support the purchase and refurbishment of the building.”
