What we've done

We've committed to investing £15 million into our six principal towns and ten local centres to help them thrive.

This investment is being made in three phases, with almost £12 million already invested and an additional £3 million approved, to drive the prosperity of our Barnsley communities.

The programme has already seen more than 50 projects completed, including shop front improvements, community centre refurbishments and public realm enhancements.

These include more than 500 local shopfront transformations and high street improvements. 

Our investment has transformed and modernised community facilities and delivered improvements to our high streets and town centres, improving local economies around the borough and helping our high streets thrive.

What we're doing next

We're now planning Phase 4 of this ambitious investment programme.

We're seeking to draw down up to £21 million of additional funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Gainshare Fund over the five-year period between 2026 and 2031.

In February 2026, our Cabinet supported the next phase of the programme in principle, which sets out a bold vision for the future.

The proposed business case outlines five key themes:

• A Business Development and Resilience Fund to support local small and medium-sized businesses with grants, mentoring, and tailored advice.
• A Vacant Spaces Agency to bring empty retail units back into use.
• A Commercial Development and Property Fund to unlock new economic opportunities.
• A Specialist Housing Fund to deliver accommodation for residents with specific needs.
• A High Street Economic Development Fund to enhance the vibrancy and accessibility of Barnsley’s high streets through targeted community-led interventions.