Designs of new Barnsley town centre unveiled
Published: 24 May, 2011
Designs for the new £70m centre for Barnsley have been unveiled at a public exhibition
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council initially commissioned architect Will Alsop to produce a radical masterplan. CZWG Holder Mathias Architects were appointed, following a competition, to redesign the retail heart of the town centre through the Barnsley Markets development project.
The 52,000-sq m project, to be developed by the 1249 Partnership made up o Wilson Bowden Developments and Ashcroft Estates, is the next stage of the major regeneration of Barnsley that is reinventing itself for the 21st century. CZWG Holder Mathias’s designs include a new purpose-designed atmospheric indoor market, a major shopping centre, a series of restaurants and a six-screen cinema, as well as parking for over 800 cars.
The new shopping centre will revitalise and transform the Barnsley town centre, and strengthen the linkages within the wider town, not least to May Day Green and the new Transport Interchange. A series of cafés and restaurants surround the new Market Square and overlook the informal amphitheatre. The shops are attractive and colourful double height buildings, with grand frontages to attract high quality retailers and bring a sense of vivacity to the shopping experience.
Peter Mathias, chairman of Holder Mathias, said; “The Barnsley Markets development will totally revitalise the town and provide residents and visitors alike with a completely new and exciting town centre shopping experience.
“It is brilliant to be able to unveil the designs and receive feedback from the local people who will directly benefit from the development. I hope that this major development will encourage more people to visit Barnsley building on its reputation as a market town, and driving the local economy.
