Council approves plan to merge two shops at Barnsley’s Alhambra Centre
Plans to combine two existing retail units at Barnsley’s Alhambra Shopping Centre have been approved by the council.
The application, submitted by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, will see units eight and nine inside the Alhambra Shopping Centre merge into a single larger shop.
Once combined, the new unit will measure around 1,519 square metres and will remain in retail use. Council officers say the space will be marketed as suitable for a food retailer.
As part of the works, internal walls between the two shops will be removed, along with some storage and back-office space, to create a larger sales area.
Since buying the centre in 2024, the council has been carrying out refurbishment work, including the “Health on the High Street” project, which is bringing NHS health and wellbeing services into the upper floors.
Planning officers said the proposal would help support the vitality of the town centre, retain active retail use, and make better use of existing space. They also confirmed there would be no significant impact on traffic or parking, with the centre already well served by nearby car parks.
Permission has been granted subject to conditions, including that the work must begin within three years and be carried out in line with the approved plans