New Goldthorpe public square is first step in £23m plan

Goldthorpe's new public square was officially opened on 13 October

A new public square offering a "bright new future" to a former South Yorkshire mining village has been officially opened.

The Heart of Goldthorpe will be used as a space for a weekly market, public events and relaxation.

Officials said it would help to kickstart the village's regeneration.

It is part of the Goldthorpe Towns Fund programme, which secured £23m from the government's Towns Fund.

The square, which was officially opened on Thursday, features winding paths, plants, informal seating and a special mosaic plaque dedicated to the now-demolished Horse and Groom pub.

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Stephens, who chairs the Goldthorpe Town Deal Board, said: "This has been an absolutely fantastic day.

"It shows that the Towns Fund money is being spent here and we've got another couple of years to get other plans completed."

Matthew Stephens leads the Goldthorpe Town Deal Board

Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley council's cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said the square's opening was "a major milestone" and would "help shape a bright new future" for the village.

The square, which took three years to finish, is one of five planned projects for Goldthorpe.

Since its pits closed in 1994, the village has experienced high levels of unemployment and scores of buildings have been abandoned.

South Yorkshire Police said this had led to more burglaries, while Goldthorpe was also branded a "ghost town" by locals.

But there is now hope that the regeneration plans will "bring it back to life", said one resident.

Market trader Kim Cheesmond, 38, added: "When I was younger, it was really vibrant with lots of people about."

Kim Cheesmond hopes the town square will mark a new beginning for Goldthorpe

Another local, former miner Charles Neale, 74, suggested the Towns Fund money could also be used to build more houses to "get people in so that more shops can open".

Barnsley council describes the Towns Fund as an opportunity for English towns to bid for up to £25m in government funding by developing a town investment plan.

It says: "The plan should include project proposals that drive long term economic and productivity growth."

Other Towns Fund projects planned for Goldthorpe include sustainable housing and a new cultural hub.