CINEWORLD has been confirmed as the new cinema operator for Barnsley - while a laser quest, bowling alley and soft play area have also been announced.
Barnsley Council made the announcement today and unveiled more information on The Glass Works, the £120 million retail-led scheme that is set to transform the heart of the town centre.
The cinema will have 13 screens, with over 2,000 seats anchored by a full height 450 seat Super Screen. Cineworld says the screens will have the "very latest digital surround sound systems with curved wall to wall, floor to ceiling screens, stadia seating and plenty of leg room."
Superbowl UK was the second company to be announced. As well as bowling, it will bring its Laser Quest and Crazy Club soft play offer to the town.
The new venue will boast 12 bowling lanes and a lounge bar and food diner - as well as an amusement arcade arena alongside the play centre.
Both companies have taken a 20 year lease.
The Glass Works, the new name given to the town centre development, is located on the site around Cheapside and will provide day time and night time offer, including a range of new shops, restaurants, a new home for Barnsley’s markets, a central library and public square - as well as the cinema and bowling.
It will also feature 25 shops - of which six will be larger stores - 10 restaurants and a 500 space car park.
The scheme is set to create 800 new jobs.
Having already committed £50 million to fund the first phase of the scheme, Barnsley Council has committed another £70 million to fund the remainder of the scheme, bringing its total investment in the development to £120 million.
Council Leader Sir Stephen Houghton said:
“We are delighted to announce that we will be funding the delivery of The Glass Works, the new and exciting leisure and retail scheme in Barnsley town centre. We are investing another £70 million in addition to the £50 million already committed making a total investment of £120 million, giving Barnsley something it has lacked for a long time.
"This has been a priority for the council for many years now and we are finally moving forward and giving Barnsley what it deserves; a vibrant town centre.
“We haven’t taken this decision lightly; we’re confident that it is the right thing to do and will contribute towards building a thriving economy. An investment like this will stimulate inward investment, economic growth and create more and better jobs by providing around 800 new retail and leisure opportunities and temporary jobs in the construction industry.
“Throughout the development we have maintained that we will keep the markets at the heart of it all and the final design for The Glass Works shows we have stayed true to our word, while at the same time adding in the modern retail, restaurants and leisure offer. We’re also making progress with our ambitious plans for the wider town centre to bring the whole of Barnsley up to date to make it a popular visitor destination.”
The scheme is scheduled for completion in May 2020.
