18th December 2001
3rd ANNIVERSARY TAKES BDA JOBS TALLY TO 3000


Barnsley Development Agency (BDA), under the stewardship of Chief Executive John Penney, is celebrating its 3rd anniversary with the creation of over 3000 jobs since its formation in 1998. This year, the number of jobs created by BDA is on track to reach 1000 by the end of the year.

John Penney said: "This year has been notable for some remarkable stories across Barnsley, not least of which was our early win in securing £350,000 of Objective 1 funding to promote the borough to a wide range of potential investors that will bring further new jobs and vitality to the borough.

"Ultimately our success is rightly measured against how many jobs are created, and so far this year BDA partners will create around 1000 jobs in total. We have also levered new investment into the town and borough in excess of £23M, and we will continue to build on this level of performance in the future."

Barnsley Development Agency is a partnership-based economic development joint-venture between Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Barnsley Chamber of Commerce. Additional partnership support is provided by Barnsley Voluntary Sector Forum; Business Link South Yorkshire; Barnsley College; Yorkshire Forward; Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC) as well as private sector companies. BDA's vision is to bring about the regeneration of Barnsley for the benefit of local people.

One of the year's great success stories for the regeneration of Barnsley was the recent official opening of the refurbished 18th century warehouse buildings at George Yard in the town centre, which is now home to a range of new retail outlets and the stylish new cafe bar Lucorum (Latin for English white bumble bee). BDA played a key role in the successful completion of the Thomas Whitworth project, providing support and guidance in the early stages of the development. It has been said that Lucorum might look more at home in Barcelona than Barnsley, with functional art installations from internationally renowned glass and metalwork specialists*.

John Penney added: "What BDA is really about is getting people to totally re-think Barnsley, and through changing often incorrect perceptions we aim to stimulate investment, development, and jobs for the town and borough.

"Those words are easy to say, but what we are starting to see on the ground in Barnsley in abundance are real life examples of new investment that is changing the face of the town in a positive way. The Thomas Whitworth complex and Lucorum within it are fine examples of this, and of Barnsley's real ambition - to be judged on merit rather than popular misconception."

BDA's Inward Investment and Development Team have had another tremendous year, handling over 600 client enquiries from potential investors in Barnsley.

Jeff Pickering, Economic Development Manager for BDA, said:" We are currently progressing a number of serious enquiries that could bring up to 2000 further jobs to the town in the near future. Plans for a new office development close to the town centre for a national public sector IT division, for example, are scheduled to commence in the New Year.

"We have some really major potential investors waiting in the wings at present, so optimism is running high that there will be more new jobs for Barnsley by the end of the year. The economic climate means that we need to work not only harder but also smarter to continue to achieve results in the future however."

For further information on Barnsley Development Agency, contact BDA on (01226) 784444.


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© 2001