Visitors to Barnsley have likely seen Base71 - on Schwabisch Gmund Way, just outside the town’s railway station - come to fruition over the past few months.
The enormous, multi-million pound charity youth zone has been under construction for over a year, as developers produce what promises to be the most vibrant and exciting facility of its kind in the region.
Base71 - which has been part-funded by Barnsley Council, with online retailer ASOS contributing £1.2 million towards construction - will offer a sports hall, fully-equipped gum, music and recording studios, arts and crafts rooms, dance studios and chill-out spaces all for just £5 a year, or 50p a visit.
Hot and health meals will also be served inside for just £1 when the centre opens on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Mandy Carlson, CEO of Base71, said: “We are so grateful to Barnsley Council, ASOS, OnSide and all our stakeholders who have worked with us to get to this incredible milestone of announcing our opening date.
“During the past two months we have welcomed thousands of young people into our building for taster sessions and their response to Base71 has been better than we could have imagined. We have already exceeded our membership targets for opening and are very excited about opening our doors to Barnsley’s young people.”
The project has been supported by charity OnSide, who help fund and build similar state-of-the-art youth zones in the country’s most economically disadvantaged areas.
Beyond Barnsley, there are also facilities in East Manchester, Croydon and Wolverhampton, with plans for new sites in Preston, Grimsby, Salford, South Bristol and Thurrock.
Base71 will be the first in Yorkshire, and while there are youth clubs that can be accessed by parents locally, it is hoped that the scope of this new site will help build young people’s aspirations, as they work with skilled youth workers to develop new skills and build their confidence.
To support this goal, Barnsley Council has donated £150,000 to cover a full year’s membership for every young person under the age of 18.
Councillor Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services at the council, said: “We’re excited for the opening of the Base71 Youth Zone in January, and we can’t wait for children and young people across our borough to have a new state-of-the-art space to socialise, develop new skills, and access a range of fantastic facilities and activities.
“As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we’re really pleased to be covering the £5 annual membership fee for the first year for all eligible young people aged eight to 18 in Barnsley. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do visit base71youthzone.org and make the most of this offer.
“This is an exciting time for our borough, and I look forward to celebrating this fantastic new chapter for Barnsley’s young people.”
2. Base71
Barnsley's new youth zone, Base71, is just a stone's throw away from the town's railway station. | Submit
