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A Grade II listed building in Barnsley town centre is set for regeneration work in 2023, after Barnsley Council granted planning permission. The work is viewed as part of wider redevelopment plans for the town centre, Insider Media reports.
Part of the building already houses an art gallery and creative performance space, but the main entrance fronting Eldon Street has remained closed to the public. All this is set to change after a funding package was put in place by the council, Historic England, and various other groups.
The late 19th century building has an attractive and elegant façade, and the entrance features elaborate mosaic work. In addition to the renovation of the ornate entrance hall, a new cafe, bar, and restaurant area will be created on the ground and first floor.
The Civic was built in 1877 by Henry Harvey and was first known as the Barnsley Mechanics Institute. The purpose of the institution was to enable working people to have a wider access to education, particularly in scientific subjects and craftsmanship.
After a few years the building was renamed the Harvey Institute, and served as an entertainment venue, library, and public information and educational space. It housed the School of Art from 1878 to 1948, and also operated as a theatre from 1962.
The building was closed to the public in 1998 for over a decade. It was renovated and reopened with a performance space and contemporary art gallery in 2009, but the ornate front doors remained closed. Now the renovation project is expected to see them reopened by autumn next year.
Barnsley Civic chief executive Anthony Baker said: “September 2023 is going to be the beginning of a new era for Barnsley Civic, with work starting on the transformation in January 2023.”
He added: “We’ve waited 25 years to open our front doors onto Barnsley’s busiest street, Eldon Street. Barnsley Civic will be the jewel in the crown of the town centre transformation.”
Cllr Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “This is an important scheme that will hugely complement the major improvements we have made to the town centre over the last five years.”
He added: “Barnsley Civic has lacked an active frontage onto Eldon Street for many years but this work will not only provide a fabulous cultural resource for the people of Barnsley, it will also conserve and celebrate the unique heritage of the building.”
Bryan Davies from Historic England said: “The redevelopment of Barnsley Civic is one of the most important schemes in the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone as it will improve the appearance of the street, re-open up the historic entrance, as well as create a thriving new business and community hub.”
The other listed buildings in the Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone include the Yorkshire ‘Penny’ Bank and the Queens Hotel. However, some of the buildings have deteriorated in recent years.
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