JE James Cycles, a renowned independent cycling retailer, has announced the opening of a new flagship store in the heart of Barnsley town centre, scheduled for May. This exciting development will be a pivotal moment in the ongoing restoration endeavours, aimed at revitalising the historic Eldon Street area.
The large new store will be prominently situated at 12–18 Eldon Street, strategically positioned to attract both local residents and visitors alike. Boasting three floors of retail space, it will display an extensive array of bicycles and cycling merchandise sourced from JE James Cycles, a well-established family run business rooted in Yorkshire and Derbyshire for more than six decades, as well as offerings from Giant Bikes, a global leader in the cycling industry.
The store will be conveniently located within walking distance of both Barnsley Interchange and The Glass Works, the latter having experienced a notable 22% surge in foot traffic in 2023 compared to the previous year. It is poised to become a cornerstone of the burgeoning commercial landscape of the area.
New life for historic locations
The historical significance of 12–18 Eldon Street dates back to in 1907, when it served as the purpose-built headquarters of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Today, this iconic structure forms an integral part of the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), a visionary initiative launched through a collaborative effort between Barnsley Council and Historic England. This ambitious four-year, £4mn project aims to breathe new life into the area’s architectural treasures while fostering a vibrant cultural renaissance.
Eldon Street itself bears the indelible imprint of its rich history, having been laid out in 1840 by the architect and surveyor John Whitworth. As part of a broader urban renewal programme initiated following an Act of Parliament in 1822, Eldon Street was one of several wide thoroughfares designed to modernise Barnsley’s town centre. Over the ensuing decades, it evolved into a bustling hub of commerce and culture, characterised by the emergence of key landmarks such as a grand public hall in 1877 and a fashionable covered shopping arcade in 1892.
Vibrant social hub for Barnsley
Eldon Street has always served as a vibrant social hub where locals gathered. The street was dotted with popular pubs such as the Three Cranes, the Royal Oak, and the Magnet Hotel. In January 1878, the Public Hall and Mechanics Institute, now known as The Civic, Barnsley, opened its doors, generously gifted to the town in 1890, becoming Barnsley’s inaugural free public library.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Public Hall hosted myriad events including concerts, theatre performances, variety shows, lectures and meetings, drawing crowds from far and wide. The hall’s grand main entrance on Eldon Street welcomed thousands of locals to witness performances by renowned entertainers such as Charlie Williams and Ken Dodd. From 1907, the Public Hall expanded its offerings to include ‘penny’ film shows on Saturday afternoons, captivating children from across the borough. Among the pioneers showcasing these earliest films was Jasper Redfern, a groundbreaking filmmaker from Sheffield.
Barnsley Civic closed to the public completely in 1998 but was re-opened in 2009. My article of 16 December 2022 tells the story of how it has been brought back to life some one hundred and fifty years after it was first built.
Another notable figure associated with Eldon Street was royal photographer Warner Gothard junior, who, together with his siblings, revolutionised the montage postcard, documenting significant events and disasters of the early 20th century. In 1893, Gothard established his studio at 6 Eldon Street, leaving behind a legacy that endures through a block of shops and offices he erected at the corner of Eldon Street and Regent Street South in the 1920s
In a testament to Eldon Street’s continual evolution, a new purpose-built central library, the Lightbox, opened on the opposite side of Eldon Street in 2019, enriching the community and supporting educational offers within the town. This new library has emerged as a prominent landmark and a cornerstone of the transformative £20mn Glass Works town centre redevelopment.
Preserving the past, looking to the future
The Eldon Street HAZ is preserving and celebrating this storied heritage, recognising the integral role played by independent businesses in shaping the area’s identity. It has been home to a diverse range of enterprises that have left an indelible mark on the community.
As custodians of this rich legacy, the Eldon Street HAZ endeavours to empower local stakeholders through a multifaceted approach encompassing architectural restoration, cultural programming and community engagement.
By harnessing the collective efforts of property owners, businesses and residents, the HAZ aims to ensure that Eldon Street remains a vibrant testament to Barnsley’s storied past and a beacon of hope for its future. Through targeted investments, training initiatives and collaborative partnerships, the HAZ seeks to breathe new life into Eldon Street, transforming it into a thriving centre of commerce, culture and community spirit.
Dr Tegwen Roberts, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer said “There’s so much hidden history within the buildings in the zone. To be able to uncover so much of it and share that with local communities has been incredible.” She added: “The whole project will have a huge positive impact on Eldon Street as we connect historical areas with the exciting new developments in the town centre.”
