Opening up a heart of 'Gold'

The Heart of Goldthorpe will host a market every Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and provides a new space for public events, as well as a place for people to walk and relax.

The Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr James Michael Stowe, cut the ribbon at Thursday’s opening ceremony, which was also attended by members of the Goldthorpe Town Deal Board.

The square, which will also provide a venue for public events, has winding paths, curved planting beds, modern contrasting paving, informal seating and an area for reflection.

The former Horse and Groom pub, which had become disused and unsafe, was demolished as part of the project.

It is remembered in the square with a specially-designed mosaic inspired by the pub sign, which is now displayed at the rear of the square.

The Heart of Goldthorpe is part of the Goldthorpe Towns Fund programme, a package of projects funded by £23.1 million from the Government’s Towns Fund.

Work began in June, designed by Pennington Choices in partnership with FDA Landscape and Frank Shaw Associates, and was completed by N T Killingley Ltd.

Other developments in Goldthorpe include the building of new sustainable housing and the creation of a new cultural hub.

Cllr Robin Franklin, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Today is a major milestone in the story of Goldthorpe town centre.

“This new square will help shape a bright new future for Goldthorpe through the market and public events.

“I would encourage everyone to visit the new square and see the variety of stalls at the regular Thursday market.

“I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has been involved in making the Heart of Goldthorpe a reality.””

The five Towns Fund projects in Goldthorpe are all being shaped with residents and key stakeholders.

They also include: the regeneration of traditional terraced streets, supporting businesses to invest in the area, the renovation of the Dearne Playhouse and improvements to the welfare park to create a new cultural hub, improvements to play facilities and a new visitor hub at Phoenix Park

Matthew Stephens, who chairs the Goldthorpe Town Deal board, said: “I am delighted the attractive new Heart of Goldthorpe is now open.

“”I hope that as well as hosting a busy and vibrant market, it will become somewhere to meet, relax and spend time together as a community.

“I’dd like to thank Barnsley Council, my fellow board members, contractors, stakeholders and residents for working together to bring our shared vision to life.”

Market trader Kim Cheesmond, of Pick n Mix Sweets, said: “You have no idea how much this means to me: being part of something like this really is a new level.

“It will bring back a lot of memories from when I was a child and visiting the old market with my late grandma.

“Being able to trade on the new Goldthorpe Market is the start of something amazing for me and I’m proud to be able to build my business further with this opportunity.”

The Town Deals programme aims to regenerate towns and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities offered Town Deals to all 101 places that submitted proposals, with more than £2.35 billion of investment across more than 700 projects nationally.

Towns Fund investment in Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton upon Dearne supports Barnsley Council’s investment work in principal towns and local centres, which is helping local high streets thrive across the borough.