£660,000 council funding approved to explore potential for four-star hotel at Barnsley’s Seam site
Barnsley Council is set to commit £660,000 to progress early work on the next phase of the Seam Digital Campus
Plans for a four-star hotel in Barnsley town centre are set to take a significant step forward, when councillors will be asked to agree to fund early work on the scheme next week.
Barnsley Council is set to commit £660,000 to progress early work on the next phase of the Seam Digital Campus, with the proposed hotel described by officers as a potential cornerstone of the regeneration project.
A report to be presented to cabinet next week requests the funding to appoint a development management organisation, which will be tasked with developing a business case, progressing early designs and testing delivery options for the hotel.
Council officers say the funding is intended to unlock private investment, with any hotel expected to be operated by a commercial provider rather than the authority.
The report adds that Barnsley currently lacks enough high-quality accommodation to meet demand from business travellers, professionals and event delegates, with visitor spending often leaking to neighbouring towns as a result.
Initial concept work suggests the hotel could have around 120 bedrooms, alongside conference and event facilities, helping support the town’s growing tech sector and visitor economy.
However, the council stressed the plans remain at an early and exploratory stage, with detailed design, layout and delivery models still to be developed and assessed.
The funding will also support early work on the National Centre for Digital Technology and a new campus square, which together would form the next phase of the Seam Digital Campus.
Officers say the appointed development partner will explore a range of options for delivering the hotel, including potential operating and branding models, as well as how it could be phased alongside other elements of the site.
The Seam Digital Campus is a flagship regeneration project in Barnsley town centre, with the first phase already delivering new public spaces and digital infrastructure.
If approved, the funding will be used to cover professional development costs and project management over the next year, with the council funding the work through borrowing.
A further report will be brought back to cabinet once more detailed designs, cost plans and delivery options have been developed, allowing councillors to decide whether and how the hotel should progress.
The proposals form part of wider regeneration plans by Barnsley Council to strengthen the town centre economy and attract investment.
Councillor Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “If we can take advantage of this significant opportunity, we will fill a clear gap in the market, enhance our commercial offer and support local businesses by creating more good jobs and keeping visitors in Barnsley, allowing them to enjoy the many cultural and leisure opportunities in our town centre.”