£2m boost for “vulnerable” Barnsley economy

£1m of the cash will come from the council’s budget, and the other £1m comes from Sheffield City Region’s Gainshare Funding.

The cash will be used over the next 18 months to help people back to work or set up in business, back existing businesses, reduce the borough’s carbon footprint, improve connectivity, and invest in the borough’s principle towns.

A report to the council’s ruling cabinet, to be heard at their next virtual meeting on April 7 states: “Barnsley has demonstrated strong growth over recent years however our ecomomy remains vulnerable.

“Any social or economic crisis such as the global coronavirus pandemic comes as a particular challenge to Barnsley – because of the legacy issues we face such as lower than average levels of economic activity, health inequalities and some particularly deprived communities.

“This has meant that Barnsley has been, and is likely to continue to be, harder hit by the pandemic than other parts of the country and the borough will need to work harder to recover economically and socially from its impacts.

“There is very cautious optimism that we can start to plan for life after COVID;and look to opportunities in Barnsley’s post-pandemic economy including newreasons to visit the town centre, a growing digital sector and strengths in logistics and distribution.