A NEW hotel could be built in Barnsley town centre as part of ambitious plans to transform an 800-space car park into a thriving community hub, the Chronicle can reveal.
The Courthouse car park, off County Way, forms a key part of Barnsley Council’s £180m masterplan to regenerate the town centre which also includes the new Glass Works shopping complex, the new library, railway footbridge and wider improvements to the public realm.
According to the council, a long-term plan for the car park’s redevelopment is being formulated with plans including a new housing estate of about 200 homes, more office space for businesses and the three-star hotel.
The Core, a building on County Way, has been purchased 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 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 wants to replicate to entice start-ups and expanding firms into the centre as the regeneration continues.
David Shepherd, director of regeneration and property for the council, told the Chronicle: “The upper and lower Courthouse area spans over a four-and-a-half hectare site so it’s a considerable size and one which we feel we can utilise better. The success of the Digital Media Centre speaks for itself so The Core - which will be known as DMC2 - will be refurbished in order to create more space for creative, tech-based businesses.
“We also plan on using some of the space for a housing development of up to 200 homes as we feel this will create a campus-type feel to that part of the town centre, as well as the hotel.
“We’re also mindful that we will be reducing the overall amount of car parking spaces by creating our vision, so we plan on adding 450 spaces elsewhere to go alongside facilities at the Glass Works and Market Gate.
“Retaining spaces is essential so we will be well-covered for anyone visiting by car, and we have the added bonus of having excellent bus and rail links into the town centre via Barnsley Interchange.”
The work, the council says, will encourage shoppers who would have previously gone to Sheffield and Leeds to stay local, while businesses starting up or established firms will be enticed to set up in Barnsley.
“The Glass Works, which is due to be completed in 2021, is the biggest project but we see the work on County Way as another major scheme,” added Mr Shepherd.
“It’s all geared towards securing the town centre’s long-term prosperity and it earning its keep. It’s an exciting time to be from Barnsley as we will have a town centre that appeals to everyone.
There will be big-name retailers and restaurants alongside brilliant museums such as Experience Barnsley, safe access down to Oakwell stadium with the new footbridge and more on offer for businesses.
“Businesses won’t come and invest if there isn’t good transport links, car parking and amenity value but this scheme of work covers all bases.
“The beauty of the town centre is that it is compact, so everything is within walking distance.”
The new library is expected to open in the summer, while planning permission for The Core’s refurbishment is expected to be sought ahead of a 12-month period of work.
Its previous owner, Voluntary Action Barnsley (VAB), has relocated to Priory Campus, Lundwood, and remaining current tenants will move out by the end of this month.
“We plan on opening DMC2 for business in mid-2020 and I’m confident we can fill the space.”
“Both Barnsley College and Sheffield Hallam University are onboard and that’s key as we will have a pipeline of talent for those creative businesses setting up or expanding.”
Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton added: “The redevelopment of the town centre is really progressing and we’re already starting to see positive results. We’re committed and that is evident with what we’ve achieved so far.
“Barnsley is becoming a hotbed for investment and that’s been proven with the amount of new businesses we saw open their doors in 2018, and 2019 promises to be another exciting year.”
