Leaders to showcase Barnsley at the UK's largest real estate event

Barnsley Council will join the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and other local authority partners from the region at the three-day UKREiiF event at the Royal Armouries in Leeds this month. 

The UK Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) brings together the public sector alongside government representatives, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders and more. 

This year's event will be held from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May 2025 where senior council staff, including Leader Sir Steve Houghton CBE and Chief Executive Sarah Norman, will be in attendance to speak to potential investors about the opportunities available in the borough, aiming to attract inward investment and generate economic growth.

Barnsley’s main sessions at the event are as follows: 

• Tuesday 20 May, 9am-9.45am: Barnsley – the UK’s leading digital town (SYMCA pavilion) 

• Wednesday 21 May, 7.30am-8.45am: Barnsley – the Place of Possibilities for businesses (SYMCA pavilion) 

• Wednesday 21 May, 12pm-12.45pm: Building the future: Creating space for young people in South Yorkshire and across the UK (SYMCA pavilion) 

• Thursday 22 May, 12.15pm-1.15pm: Driving growth and investment through collaboration (SCAPE Public Sector Stage, Cinema of War room) 

Council representatives will also appear on other panels throughout the three days, including 'Can the way we design and build our cities save the NHS?', Unlocking growth through sustainable transport networks', and the South Yorkshire Showcase. 

Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “We're excited about the opportunity to showcase what Barnsley has to offer at UKREiiF. 

“We have a track record of being bold, brave and innovative to drive positive change and deliver for our residents. We’re proud of where we’ve got to, but we don’t want to stand still. We want to grow our economy and make sure everyone in our borough can benefit from that growth. 

"Our innovative Health on the High Street initiative will bring healthcare to the heart of our town centre, making it more accessible for all. It will reinvent the way communities see the high street as a space for health, wellbeing and retail, present opportunities for businesses and investors, drive footfall and support economic growth for everyone. 

"Similarly, our plans for The Seam Digital Campus, which is part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone and sits at the heart of our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy, will help to unlock growth in the borough through strategic investment. 

"We'll be discussing both of those projects as well as other investable opportunities and exciting developments which will deliver lasting change that benefits all corners of Barnsley and ensures it remains a great place to live, work, and grow." 

For more information about UKREiiF, go to 2025.ukreiif.com/programme.

To arrange a meeting with our representatives at UKREiiF, or for more information about available investable opportunities, please contact investment@barnsley.gov.uk.