Barnsley: Final stage of £4m historic street revamp begins

Shops along Eldon Street, between Regent Street and the junction of Market Hill, will go through the revamp

The £4m restoration of a number of buildings on a historic street in Barnsley is entering its final stage.

Work is beginning on shops along Eldon Street, between Regent Street and the junction of Market Hill.

It is part of a four-year project between the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), Barnsley Council and Historic England.

Dr Tegwen Roberts, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, said so much "incredible" history had been found.

In the final stage of the project, work will be done to 58 Eldon Street, where Leslie Frances Hairdressing Academy is located, as well as 60 Eldon Street, where Globe Holidays is and 70-72 Eldon Street, also known as the home of Best Kebab & Pizza.

Dr Roberts said the project had uncovered a great deal of forgotten history along the street.

One of the oldest surviving buildings on the street, number 58, was originally built as a linen warehouse and later became an adult education school in the 1870s, before it became Anne Porter's and Sons.

Meanwhile, 60 Eldon Street had been used for many things over the years after originally built as a furniture shop and warehouse.

In the 1880s it was a music warehouse selling instruments and sheet music, before then becoming Roebuck's furniture emporium.

The Parkway Cinema next door is also due to have its original canopy restored as part of the street's regeneration.

Dr Roberts added: "The HAZ is not only restoring elements from the past, maintaining buildings and stories for generations to come, but it provides these buildings with a new lease of life so they can continue to have purpose now - and in the future - as part of a modern town centre."

Nicola Brown, from Historic England, added the "latest phase of works on this historic street will cement its role as one of the most vibrant and attractive parts of the town centre".