The Glass Works development in Barnsley town has announced that it is officially 60% let ahead of opening next year.
The shopping centre is part of a major Council-led plan to regenerate the town and will feature up to 25 new shops, seven new family restaurants, a Superbowl UK featuring a bowling alley, Laser Quest experience and soft play centre, and a 13 screen Cineworld cinema featuring large-scale 4DX screen.
The centre is now 60% fully let with Deichmann the latest store to sign up to the scheme and another new addition to the town centre, with several big name brands already signed up including Next, Sports Direct alongside fashion arm USC, TK Maxx, Muffin Break, local independent restaurant MEET and Nando’s. JD Sports, Coffee Boy and Falco Lounge are already open and trading.
Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “The fact we are a year away from opening – despite challenging economic times – is testament to the strength of this game-changing scheme that will have a hugely positive impact on our local economy and the lives of people right across Barnsley. “There’s a huge amount of confidence in The Glass Works – not least due to the new lettings we have recently secured for the centre, on top of the big names already signed up, and we’re committed to delivering the scheme now more than ever.
Paul Sargent, chief executive, Queensberry said that the strength of occupier interest is down to the Glassworks being more than just a shopping centre: “It offers ease of access, a sense of community, facilities for independent traders alongside established national brands, the historic market, cultural and leisure uses and access to open space. The Council really has provided a road map for delivering regeneration and as we look to the next year, we are confident about the opportunities that lie ahead for Barnsley and the wider regen.”
