Barnsley is in South Yorkshire lying on the River Dearne, around fifteen miles from Sheffield.
Barnsley is easily accessed being between junctions 36 and 37 of the M1 motorway and is known by the locals as ‘The Tarn’
The town is famous for coal mining though in actual fact the mines were outside the town in the local villages. The ‘Barnsley Main’ colliery was in town, it was small and closed in 1991. All the mines in the area have now closed, the last being Goldthorpe, this closed in 1994.
The town was also known for wire, linen and glassmaking, nowadays only glass-making remains and two companies still operate.
Barnsley has now a re-generation programme called ‘Remaking Barnsley’. This includes a new cultural centre sited in the old Civic Hall and a Digital Media Centre plus offices and apartments in the town centre. Many new houses have also been built.
Business Parks have sprung up at junctions 36 and 37 of the M1 bringing many jobs to the area.
Barnsley Business Innovation Centre situated on the Huddersfield Road has many new businesses and is one of the most successful business centres in Europe.
Unemployment is below the national average but many residents are on incapacity benefit.
The first bottle bank for the recycling of glass was introduced in Barnsley by S. Race CBE who was the then president of the Glass Manufacturers Federation in Barnsley together with R. England. The bottle bank was opened in 1997.
The main shopping centre in Barnsley was built in the 1960’s and is now beginning to look tired and dated. The area known as the metropolitan centre is due for demolition in 2008 and will be replaced by a new retail and leisure development. Retailers here at present include WH Smith, HMV, Boots and The Body Shop. The Alhambra Centre opened in 1991 and is home to such stores as Woolworth, Primark and Next. Queen Street another shopping area has stores including Marks and Spencer, Topshop and Wallis. Independent and designers shops are mostly situated in Eldon Street and The Arcade.
Outside of town are several retail parks that include DIY, electrical stores and supermarkets.
Property for rent is always available in Barnsley at averages costs of £455pcm for a 2 bed flat, £430pcm for a 2 bed house and £500pcm for a 3 bed house.
Barnsley has a large selection of public houses and bars and the Odeon Cinema has recently reopened as the Parkway Cinema.
Barnlsey is home to three museums and a theatre that gives performances ranging from West End Musicals to Shakespeare. The Victorian theatre, once renowned, is to be made into a gallery space.
Barnsley’s football team play in the Championship of the English League. Their ground is just outside the town centre at the Oakwell Stadium.
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