Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and its development manager, Queensberry, have announced £70m of funding for the second phase of Barnsley town centre’s regeneration, which encompasses The Glass Works shopping centre. The Glass Works, the new name given to the town centre development, will provide 590,000 sq ft of retail and leisure offerings. These will include a range of new shops, restaurants, multiplex cinema and bowling alley.
Queensberry announced that the first occupiers will be Cineworld and Superbowl UK. Cineworld has agreed a 20-year lease for a 13-screen multiplex cinema and Superbowl UK has taken 18,000 sq ft, also on a 20-year lease. In addition to bowling, Superbowl UK offer Laser Quest and a Crazy Club soft play area.
Barnsley Council Leader Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton said: “This has been a priority for the council for many years now and we are finally moving forward and giving Barnsley what it deserves; a vibrant town centre. We haven’t taken this decision lightly; we’re confident that it is the right thing to do and will contribute towards building a thriving economy.”
The scheme is scheduled for completion in May 2020.