Next signs on as first retailer for The Glass Works, Barnsley

Fashion and home retailer Next has signed on as the first retail tenant for The Glass Works retail and leisure development in Barnsley town centre.

Development manager Queensberry has confirmed that Next has secured a 20,000 square foot store, which will be spread over two floors to house the brand’s clothing and footwear. It will take up the “chief pitch” within the new 130 million pound glass-covered mall development.

Once opened in 2020, the new, bigger store will replace the town centre’s existing store found in the Alhambra Shopping Centre.

The Glass Works is being funded by Barnsley Council to regenerate the heart of the town centre. Construction is well underway on the first phase of the scheme, which includes the new state-of-the-art library and a contemporary renovation of the Metropolitan Centre and the town’s famous markets.

The second stage of the development, which will include 26 new retail units and 7 family-friendly restaurants, will begin in the autumn. This work will also see the delivery of the scheme’s two key leisure anchors, Cineworld and Superbowl UK.

The entire scheme is expected to be completed in 2020.

Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “Next is without doubt one of the UK’s keynote fashion retailers and one that is proven to help attract other retailers to a location. The upgrade to a bigger store will greatly improve the town centre’s shopping offer, thus making us more attractive for inward investment.”

Stuart Harris, commercial director and co-founder of Queensberry, added: “We have received lots of interest in The Glass Works, with many national retailers keen to be part of the development. Today, we are delighted to announce Next as the first retail occupier.

“Securing a reputable and highly-successful retailer like Next, alongside leisure tenants like Cineworld and Superbowl UK, really signals the strength and attractiveness of this scheme to major organisations.”

Image: courtesy of The Glass Works