Glass Works Barnsley Project - Video

I knew that, I was just being frivolent.

 

It'll be alright, it looks like fatties and old people aren't allowed in it; they'll have to do their shopping in the areas you mention.

 

Absolutely hate it ! IMHO Flat pack anonymous characterless shopping centre which could be anywhere. Looks like the White Rose Centre near Elland road, Lakeside village in Doncaster, the Shopping centre near York (where the Park 'n ride is) and countless others. Whilst they have preserved some of the landmark buildings like the Town hall , the BBS building at the top of Regent St, and Courthouse etc, the town no longer attracts shoppers from far and wide. A lost opportunity where they could have opened up May Day Green market...cobbled it, put up some Victorian style lamps, added a retro meat and fish hall and held a open market 2-3 days a week (other days have parking) just like they do in countless towns throughout Europe. The savings on the glass and metal centres would have funded the erection and dismantling (and maintenance) of the outdoor market stalls for years to come (and provide employment) Admittedly much of the architectural vandalism was carried out in the 60s and 70s destroying Victorian stone fronted buidlings in the headlong rush to modernise with hideous frontages in the 60s ( Lloyds bank on Market Hill anyone). and the Woolworths build Admittedly the resulting concrete brutalist architecture of the Metropolitan centre wont be missed but I cannot help but think the new build will be just as dated in a few years.

They have played it safe and I fear the expected influx of visitors to the "Historic market town" after this expensive development will not materialise. Lost opportunity.

Just my view though.

 

Living less than 1/2 mile from the development l can't wait, long overdue.

 

Then you are best off tucked away in Little Italy, my friend, as the Barnsley share of the 'consumers wallet' (by Christ, I hate that phrase) is being drawn towards Cortonwood, Parkgate, Meadowhall and further afield.
I have very fond memories of 1970's/80's Barnsley, but it is seriously becoming dated and has to move with the times.
By the time this is completed, I may be a tad too old to enjoy the cafe bars and restraunts on offer, but we need to look to the future generations, not the past, if Barnsley town centre is to survive.

 

I went round all the construction site with Henry Boot a couple of weeks ago, was quite difficult to get my bearings inside as to where things used to be but at one point I realised I was basically upstairs in WH Smiths but could see right through where the upstairs market would have been and into the old upstairs of Littleworths.

Absolutely amazed that in just six months it will be fully open - although they have all the mechanical services in, new lift shafts, sorted out the differing levels so I'd imagine the actual fitting out of it all can be done relatively quickly.

The impressive thing about the existing building is the huge basement area, I had no idea it existed, but basically allows deliveries to be made at any time of day, it's probably a bigger space than the 'public' part of the building and was a big factor in retaining the original structure rather than knocking it down and starting from scratch.

 

To be honest that 3D tour doesn't do the final exterior any justice and it was created ages ago - a long time before the materials and final design was agreed. Where it isn't glass, they are using these prefabricated panels which look very similar to Portland stone (I can't remember the technical name for them). Using actual Portland stone was considered but it would have been difficult to justify the additional cost...the budget has already risen again to over £120m, this is definitely not something flat pack being thrown up on the cheap and isn't just a refurb either, only the structural elements of the existing building have been retained and it has been altered massively.

 

You'll have to pop over for a look on your annual visit to Oakwell.

 

Suppose than can sod off to Medowhall then, sithi.

 

Looks impressive, but I can be in Leeds in 30 mins on the X10 bus for £6 return (from Darton). £7 from Barnsley.

Only time I go into Barnsley town centre any more is on matchdays. Last time I bought anything on Barnsley market was over 20 years ago.

Meadowhall, I get dragged there maybe once a year and I hate it. Last time I walked into the store, tried a coat on, then proceeded to the pub in Oasis and ordered it online whilst having a pint.

 

I certainly will ( even if I suspect your reply was somewhat sarcastic). Glad to here the 3D 'render' is not representative of the final finish (which looks dated already).
In the final analysis, if a Multiscreen cinema results, and it is possible to get everything you need without having to travel far afield like Leeds or Meadowhall it will generate more revenue for the local economy. God knows when we were shopping for shoes and clothes for our daughter when she was small (albeit she had very narrow feet) we had to travel beyond the boundaries of Barnsley as there was little choice outside of Sims and the one up the Eldon arcade (which is no longer there I believe).

The meat and Fish Market was, and still is for me, the 'jewel in the crown' of the market. I know many stalls have shut due to rising rents but the fish & meat stalls (like Barkers) rival Leeds and Sheffield for quality choice and price, not to mention the friendly service that most of them give. Hopefully the new development won't mean huge increases in rent driving those that remain out for ever. No point having empty units everywhere.