Barnsley was one of the first towns in the region to be designated a ‘renaissance town’ by Yorkshire Forward in 2001.

Barnsley has created a visionary masterplan for the town, shaped under the expert eye of architect, Will Alsop. The vision for Barnsley suggests a ‘Living Wall’ of buildings around the town centre that defines the limits between the town and the country. Within the wall is a series of districts, each with their own primary function, but all feeding off the services of each other. The overall strategy is to create a 21st century market town.

To achieve the vision, several projects have been identified. The key ones include:

• Barnsley markets: a modern, purpose-built series of market halls. Retail and leisure development, high-quality public realm and apartments.
• Digital media centre: a town centre hub for innovation and new technology.
• Transport interchange: a single complex that includes bus, rail, coach and taxi travel.
• Civic and Mandela Gardens: development of the civic hall into a major cultural and retail facility and the landscaping of Mandela Gardens.
• New council offices

It is expected that around £380m will be invested into Barnsley’s renaissance, with about £31.5m coming from the Yorkshire Forward Renaissance Towns Programme.

To find out more about the projects you can visit – www.remakingbarnsley.co.uk