‘Glass Works was bold – but right thing to do’

STEVE BULLCOCK, St John’s Road

I read Sir Steve Houghton’s comments about footfall into the town increasing and the point about occupancy heading towards 90 per cent in the Glass Works.

This is excellent news, as long as the footfall equals spending money in our town.

I, similar to many residents of Barnsley, believe the Glass Works was the right shout and was a bold move by the council.

The town certainly needed the investment (nobody could have guessed the pandemic would happen).

However, we now have to dust ourselves down as a town and look constructively and imaginatively at ways to get the shops and restaurants full and the tills ringing seven days a week.

We have to identify something that other towns aren’t offering which will help to create jobs for the people of the town and surrounding area.

Most people want the investment in the Glass Works to provide a positive return for the town in our quest, we cannot be insular in our thoughts and there are no easy solutions.

Perhaps now is the time to question further what can be done in these difficult times to get people into our town to spend.

Should the council work collaboratively with the likes of Network Rail and retail / leisure outlets to introduce special deals to attract customers, basically ‘speculate to accumulate’.

Maybe encourage visitors to our town from adjacent towns Rotherham / Huddersfield / Wakefield and yes even Sheffield and Leeds all on direct rail links to Barnsley and within 30 minutes’ travel time – perhaps something similar to the Stagecoach deal could be considered with Network Rail.

Should the council consider extending market opening hours beyond 4pm? Would this attract more visitors?

Is it worth enlisting the proven creative talents of the council’s entertainment/events team to encourage people to our town, spending money and enjoying the excellent food and drink establishments and basically enjoying our town?

Is it worth investing in publicity on radio/television/ social media in other towns to announce that Barnsley is open for business and welcomes visitors?

Is it worth accelerating the planned investment works on Eldon Street?

I really believe we can make this work, but how is the million dollar question.