BARNSLEY traders ‘professed their love’ to the high street for Valentine’s Day yesterday.
Figures show footfall was up by ten per cent over the previous year in December, which the council says shows that Barnsley Market is bucking the national trend of falling favour in the British high street.
At the ‘Love Barnsley Town Centre’ event yesterday, traders commented on the popularity of the market, which saw more than 260,000 visitors over December.
“The new market is fantastic,” said Paul Bates of Keith’s Quality Meats. “Customers love it and trade is buzzing. We’ve been on the market 32 years and have just recorded record sales in December. Footfall is up and it’s great that so many people want to shop in the market.
“There’s a lot of talk about the decline of the high street - well not in Barnsley.”
Dan Sharp, owner of Backyard BBQ in the Victorian Arcade and first confirmed independent tenant in the Glass Works with his bar/restaurant MEET, said: “We’ve got a great range of independent businesses popping up alongside the national retailers and chains.
“It’s a good mix and I’m happy to be part of it both now and moving into the future.”
Coun Roy Miller said: “We’re doing things differently in Barnsley by transforming our town centre and high street and that’s illustrated with our £180m investment, as well as features like ShopAppy,” he said.
The ShopAppy service lets people order items online from Barnsley’s independent retailers and market stalls, before collecting at several pickup points in town.
