Barnsley’s Alhambra health hub project costs rise as £3m extra funding sought
Barnsley Council is being asked to approve an extra £3.16m to keep its flagship Health on the High Street project on track, after the projected cost of turning the Alhambra Centre into a major health hub rose by almost £9.5m.
A report going before the council’s cabinet next week says the overall budget for the scheme has increased from £50.2m to £59.7m following more detailed design work, surveys and changes requested by partners and councillors.
The health and wellbeing hub is the second phase of the wider programme, which aims to bring NHS and wellbeing services into Barnsley town centre to boost access to care and increase footfall for local businesses.
The first phase of the project, the Community Diagnostic Centre, is already open and offering X-rays, breast screening, retinal imaging and blood tests in the Glass Works. According to the council, it has cut waiting times, reduced missed appointments and brought an additional 55,000 visits into the town centre.
Phase two involves refurbishing 11,000 square metres of space inside the Alhambra for Barnsley Hospital, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust, Barnsley Premier Leisure and council services. Barnsley Hospital has already opened new outpatient clinics, including ophthalmology and optometry, on the site.
But the report warns that detailed feasibility work has identified higher costs than originally expected. These include additional fit-out work, improvements to entrances, better public spaces, further surveys and a larger contingency.
The council has so far secured £11.6m in funding, including contributions from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Future High Streets Fund. However, it now needs £3.16m more to complete the next two design stages and maintain momentum.
The report says the extra £3.16m will come from its existing capital programme, after reprioritising and delaying other planned schemes to free up the funding.
Officers say delaying funding would risk stalling the project just as health services expand into the Alhambra and wider town centre regeneration picks up pace.
If cabinet agrees the extra money, a full report on the final design and updated costs will return to councillors in 2026 before a decision is made on construction.
Councillor Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “By bringing health, wellbeing, and community services right into the heart of Barnsley town centre, we’re making it easier for everyone to access the support they need, when they need it.
“This investment is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about building a healthier, fairer, and more vibrant Barnsley for everyone. I’m proud to see us taking this next step and look forward to the positive impact it will have for our residents, their health and our local economy.”