Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Key Competitive Attractions
Barnsley has a unique environment for Creative and Digital Industries businesses, providing a workspace and support offer that integrates with a vibrant cultural landscape. Additional to this is a support programme focusing on helping businesses to realise their potential through collaborative networking and enterprise coaches, across a range of specialities.
Landmark architecture and a wide selection of flexible accommodation, from virtual office packages through to business parks, and a strong track record in supporting new and established businesses, combines to make Barnsley a natural hub for CDI companies. There is a strong and established supply chain, with a widening portfolio of CDI focused Higher and Further Education opportunities.
Barnsley has - within an hour`s travel - access to significant urban centres, such as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, and a potential workforce of over 4 million people. Transport infrastructure is strong and includes an eye catching new Interchange for bus and train travel, which rapidly links to main line train services to Birmingham, Newcastle, London and beyond.
Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) has a CDI Sector Specialist available, to support with a range of services before, during and after relocation, plus access to other specialist advisors. We have a broad database of knowledge and information, including Training, HR, Finance and Property. We also have direct access to the regional agencies of Arts Council England, Yorkshire, Screen Yorkshire, Game Republic and Business Link Yorkshire.
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
Barnsley is perfectly located for trade throughout the UK, and is 12 miles north of Sheffield, 17 miles south of Leeds and 14 miles west of Doncaster. As such, we can draw on a wide pool of skilled workers and have strong business connections with those cities.
Barnsley Development Agency works closely with new and existing businesses to help them locate and select new premises, find the approprtiate personnel, identify and apply for business finance and network with beneficial business partners. Our trained advisers are on hand to answer any questions you might have and we have access to a range of specialists to provide a skilled insight into your business sector.
Existing Business Base
Barnsley enjoys a diverse and entrepreneurial economy that encompasses a number of business sectors, but with particular strengths in engineering, manufacturing, creative services and business administration.
The Digital Media Centre was launched as part of the ‘Rethinking Barnsley’ initiative and provides an affordable business location designed to support the success and development of creative, media and digital businesses. Further developments include new offices throughout the Town Centre and a number of Business Parks on the M1 that have extended job opportunities locally.
Significant employers in the area include the Ardagh Glass Group, Fosters Bakery, Xpress Media and others.
