Barnsley Council plans town-centre move for jobs service in £1.5m Gateway Plaza upgrade
The move would allow the council to relocate the service from Wellington House, a privately owned building where it currently pays around £440,000 a year in rent.
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is set to spend £1.5m refurbishing part of Gateway Plaza to move its employment and skills service into the town centre, replacing offices it currently leases elsewhere.
A report going before cabinet on March 4 recommends approving the investment to refurbish level six of Gateway Plaza, creating a single public access point and teaching space for employment support and adult learning services.
The move would allow the council to relocate the service from Wellington House, a privately owned building where it currently pays around £440,000 a year in rent.
Council officers say the relocation forms part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on leased buildings and make better use of property already owned by the authority.
The employment and skills service supports residents to find work, improve skills and overcome barriers such as poor health or caring responsibilities, bringing together adult learning, employability support and careers advice under one “front door”.
Under the proposals, the service would operate from a newhub at Gateway Plaza, making it easier for residents to access help in a single, central location.
Work on the refurbishment is expected to take place during summer 2026, to fit around the academic year and avoid disruption to learners.
The proposals form part of wider changes to the council’s property portfolio being taken forward by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to reduce costs and improve how services are delivered.