Turner & Townsend along with its partner Queensberry Real Estate have also been named as the development management organisation.

Henry Boot Construction will deliver the construction of retail, leisure and market space, including areas for food and drink, a new library and a market square, following the demolition of existing buildings.

Designs for new central library

The total Better Barnsley scheme, combined with additional public realm improvements and  a new college building, will bring the total town centre investment to £100m.

The DMO will work with the council over an 18 month period to design the new leisure and retail building; begin the pre letting to retail and leisure operators and work with the Council to secure private sector investment to build out the second phase.

Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “This is a major milestone in our exciting and ambitious plans to make Barnsley town centre a place for people to visit and for businesses to invest in.

This partnership with a DMO presents the council with the best opportunity to secure not only the successful development of phase two of the Better Barnsley scheme but also private sector investment into the scheme, along with the realisation of the council’s potential future return on investment.”

Tony Shaw, Operations Director, Henry Boot Construction, said: “As a local contractor, we are delighted to have been appointed to construct the Better Barnsley town centre development. This is an exciting time for the people of Barnsley and we are proud to be part of it.”