Did you know that many years ago the grand circus once stood on Eldon Street, and the Mechanics Institute and Public Hall (now the Barnsley Civic) which opened in 1877 were based there?

Can you remember Dollies, or the sloping floor in Woollies? What are your memories of Eldon Street and what do you think about it now?

 

Well now is your chance to have your say and share your thoughts by taking part in the Eldon Street community consultation.

It’s easy to complete the survey. We would really love to hear your thoughts so you can play a part in shaping the future of Eldon Street which is a such an historic asset for the town centre, with the potential to be transformed into a real gem.

The consultation is complemented by a digital pack of fun activities, created by artists Steph Strickland and Jane Yorke in conjunction with Barnsley Museums, giving you the chance to learn about the history of Eldon Street, and enjoy a bit of creative fun at the same time.

Test your knowledge and find out some surprising and interesting facts by taking the Eldon Street Quiz, and why not join the Eldon Street History Hunt.

Share your stories by sending us a postcard (available to download), inspired by Eldon Street’s famous postcard photographer.

Do you have a great idea for something you’d love to see on Eldon Street in the future?  Grab a shopfront sheet and get sketching. We would love to hear your ideas, however wild and wacky.

The activity sheets in the pack can all be downloaded from the Barnsley Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone page of the Barnsley Council website as accessible pdfs. There are also digital versions of Eldon Street Have Your Say and the Eldon Street Quiz that can be filled in online.

The pack has been designed to work for people of all ages and includes two competitions, each with the chance to win a £25 Barnsley Gift Card!

You can also share your feedback with us by emailing EldonStreetHAZ@barnsley.gov.uk and on social media.

 

The Barnsley Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme launched in November 2020 and will help to restore historic buildings on the west side of Eldon Street. The purpose of the consultation is to gather the memories and stories local people have and give them an opportunity to say what they want to it to be like in the future.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said:

This is a really exciting project. Eldon Street is a key gateway into the town centre, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate its rich history and heritage. It’s amazing to look back in time and see what used to happen on Eldon Street and the shops that used to be there. It will be wonderful to hear the memories people have of it and how those can be captured to help shape its future.

Nicola Brown from Historic England said:

The Barnsley Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone is focussed on making this part of the town a more attractive and vibrant place for local people and visitors. I hope many local residents take this opportunity to share their memories and get involved in helping to shape the future of this historically rich street.

The consultation will run from now until the end of March 2021.

Barnsley Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone