Key parts of town centre regeneration scheme to open next month

Construction work on The Glass Works – Barnsley Council’s town centre development scheme – is almost complete, with hoardings coming down next month to reveal the town’s new public square.Despite the pandemic, construction is to be completed only a couple of months behind the pre-Covid timeline.Following the lifting of restrictions, all existing elements of The Glass Works – including Library @ The Lightbox, Barnsley Markets and Market Kitchen – have re-opened to the public.Falco Lounge, Coffee Boy, JD Sports and Deichmann are also welcoming shoppers and visitors again.The full scheme will be launched in phases over the next four-to-six months.The first openings, which will take place on 9 September, will see Next, TK Maxx and Sports Direct (with USC) unveil their brand-new Barnsley stores, with recent signing Flannels anticipated to open very soon.Following the phased opening period, it is anticipated 90% of the development will be let.Bowling venue Superbowl UK is still on track to open in 2021, while Cineworld and Nando’s are now anticipating opening early next year.The Glass Works Square will also open next month. In addition to significantly enhancing the accessibility and connectivity of the town centre by providing direct access from the transport interchange, the square is expected to become a popular destination in its own right.Plans are under way to host regular community and cultural events – such as performances, food festivals and the return of Bright Nights in November.The public space will also be home to Barnsley’s acclaimed Covid memorial sculpture, which received approval earlier this summer.