The Digital Media Centre, a new and innovative building which will signal the way for the future of business in Barnsley, is one of the most exciting projects of the ‘Remaking Barnsley’ programme. Planning permission has now been granted for the high-profile incubation and support centre, which will generate new businesses and promote innovation in the digital technology sectors.

A flagship project for the town centre, the vision of the Digital Media Centre is to be a leading component of South Yorkshire’s incubation and acceleration strategy for digital and creative businesses. By promoting and supporting the application of fast-moving digital technologies to industry and commerce, the centre will make a big contribution to the continued economic regeneration of Barnsley and the surrounding region.

The Digital Media Centre building will be developed and owned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, working closely with Renaissance South Yorkshire, and will be open for business in 2007.

Yorkshire Forward and the South Yorkshire Objective 1 programme have approved £9.7m towards the funding of the project.
Designed with stone and glass facades, the building reflects the traditional architecture of Barnsley, but in a thoroughly modern way to emphasise the dynamism and excitement of the digital industries it will host.

Constructed on the upper part of the former Courthouse station, with three blocks connected by an atrium, the centre will afford excellent views over the Dearne Valley and will be a prominent landmark on the Barnsley skyline.

The scheme will provide a high-specification business environment, comprising 106 separate business units, meeting rooms and conference facilities, dedicated to the needs of new and existing business in the creative and digital industries. Unique and innovative in both its design and function, the building will be a regional demonstrator of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability, and has been designed with future flexibility in mind – both in the use of space and in technology.

The Media Centre will symbolise the strong drive in Barnsley to create new industries and to raise the quality of new developments as part of the town’s regeneration project. One of a number of new digital industry and learning developments, it will link with the existing Barnsley Business Innovation Centre and in the future support the further development of new businesses in and around the courthouse site, with new premises to accommodate them. The site will, over time, house further such developments and enhanced college facilities.