Barnsley Council commits to the town centre’s transformative regeneration scheme The Glass Works

Members approved recommendations from a report that outlined the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the project.

Contractor Henry Boot temporarily stopped construction works on the site on March 27 due to the introduction of social distancing measures, and the scheme is expected to be delayed until late 2021 - just a few months later than planned.

The report states: "Issues do however remain. There is a shortage of certain materials, for example concrete blocks, and some products have increased in price resulting in the need to change suppliers.

"Although there are still significant unknowns in terms of the length and impact of the measures but in place by the Government to tackle COVID 19 work has now commenced to understand the implications for the delivery of the Glass Works.

"Following this review, it is proposed that the Glass Works scheme should continue. Failure to continue would have a significant impact. Stopping the scheme now is likely to have very significant legal and financial implications for the council."

Overall, The Glass Works is set to create approximately 1,100 jobs in Barnsley by 2025.

Councillor Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesperson for place, said: “We are committed to The Glass Works now more than ever, illustrated by the measures we continue to take to ensure the scheme is a success.

“The Glass Works will lead the council’s economic recovery plan. We are committed to a jobs-led recovery – and the scheme continues to provide jobs in construction, which will be followed by the 1100 jobs the project will deliver long term.

“There’s no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on the opening date of scheme. While we’re doing all we can to ensure that date doesn’t slip by much and we’re still on track for a late 2021 completion, feedback from the operators suggests that a delay is a positive, as it allows more time for life – and shopping habits - to return to normal.

“We’re currently in negotiations with two more operators for the scheme, which illustrates the strength of The Glass Works offer.

“That said, COVID-19 has already had an impact on the UK high street, as we’ve seen with the closure of nationally recognised names. Our development partner, Queensberry, is preparing a report that analyses the impact of the pandemic on the retail and leisure market. While we will remain flexible in our letting approach and will change our strategy if necessary, any operators we bring to Barnsley will continue to be the right ones for the scheme and the town.

“It’s great that we’ve managed to keep essential market stalls open and trading during the pandemic so far. We’re now edging closer to its wider reopening, and more details will be communicated in due course."

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