I think they say that just to validate their multiple trips to Meadowhall, scared my arse, If Town centre it was a war zone then fair enough.
Agreed, I don't go into Barnsley very often but it's got nothing to do with people who are in the town.
No, there are people who are afraid to go to Barnsley town centre and some parents wont let their children near the centre.
Possibly so, but would these people feel any safer in any other town or city centre? Or let the children go to any others?
Once walked down a street of rundown shops with people looking depressed and the odd one passed out from substance abuse on the street. It was 1984. Same as it ever was. No better no worse.
Seriously mate footfall in Barnsley has seen significant increases. Go to footfall in Barnsley. ( I'd post a link if I knew how. ) Those same parents won't let there kids go anywhere based on your comment. ( Town centres that is) As for meadowhall it's a totally different shopping experience as all out of town shopping centres are. When the cinema complex/dining area etc. Is built footfall including children will increase even further.
I’m 43 and so in the early 80’s can remember going into town every Saturday with my mum to Leo’s, M&S and onto the market, late 80’s early 90’s I used to go in with my mates, again every Saturday, Sugg’s, John Britton’s, cue ball and mermaid for lunch. I genuinely can’t remember seeing people camped in doorways or sparked out lying on the ground. I went in for my haircut on Friday at 5.30, On my drive out of town from the courthouse car park round past Leslie Francis, up market hill and then past the new college I saw a guy camped in a doorway near the civic front entrance wearing only his boxer shorts, 2 guys passed out on the benches where GT News used to be and another 2 camped in a doorway near where walkabout was. It’s possibly no worse than other towns but it’s definitely worse than I can remember it being, what’s changed? As wasn’t life just as tough in the 80’s and early 90’s in Barnsley, immediately after all the job losses?
The biggest issue for me when going anywhere shopping is parking. If I need to go into Barnsley in the week I just use Morrisons and walk down. When it's all finished I'll be happy to try Banrsley again if I can park easily and for free. If i can't then I'll be off somewhere else, really is that simple for me.
Yes I know hopefully that will continue and they won't build on it all. Been avoiding going in for shopping while all the building was going off. Often we go shopping when I'm on afters in the week as it's not as busy. Usually decide it's easy just to go to Meadowhall, 20 mins away, free parking and all the shops we need. Once it's all finished I'll be happy to try Barnsley out and hopefully it will be somewhere we can enjoy going.
I love the whole new facilities. Tarn looks really upgraded. All cities and towns have the downside with druggies etc. I was born in Derry and moved here as a baby and moved back for 4 years when I was 13, now I’ve been back here 7 years I’m greatful to have such peace around here
The new build is looking good, just hope it’s finished and can attract some shops people want to visit, and in a quick enough timescale before other shops like frank birds go because it’s taken too long for action to be taken.
What is much better these days is the amount of decent places to eat in the town centre, I think back in the day there was the the Chinese on peel street, the Indian above the shops near casa disco and wasn’t there a Chinese up near the library? Seems to be a good fair few to choose from now.
Fair point on shops. High end shopping that Barnsley haven't got. But regarding parking charges. Vary between towns. . But does not put me off going anywhere even Donny. ( Charges in frenchgate wow so park outer. ) What do you actually save after taking into account the cost of getting to meadowhall. Once went to Trafford centre for a run out. Parking charges were the least of my thoughts.
Suppose it's the combination of paying to park and lack of shops. I'm looking forward to it all being finished and giving it a go. The cinema for example might get me into town more rather than Wakefield or Sheffield
Frank Birds probably shut down cos it was massively overpriced and only a tiny fraction of Barnsleys population could shop there. I think they just completely dropped the ball, the customers they used to cater to just go to Meadowhall or buy online, both easier and better value. Plus, some of the bellwashers that used to work in there were pompous chuffs. Nothing to do with the regeneration in my opinion.