The Goldthorpe Towns Commercial Investment Fund is part of a programme of projects. They’re funded by government as part of the £23.1m Towns Fund Deal. It’s based around Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton on Dearne.

It’ll unlock the development of major employment growth in the Dearne Valley area. New chances for employment will be created, and new investment attracted into the area. This will mean more well-paid jobs for local people. It’ll also mean fewer skilled young people leaving the area for work.

The fund will be available to developers and commercial businesses who require assistance to bridge agreed viability constraints/gaps. Examples of this include commercial office, industrial, logistics and manufacturing occupiers.

It’ll help with projects which aren’t viable without some extra investment. It can be used for:

• delivery of new commercial floor space
• repurposing or bringing back into use existing commercial floor space

See more details on eligibility on the Barnsley Council website.

As part of Principal Towns programme, an exciting opportunity is being delivered to encourage new businesses in Goldthorpe.

A business start-up grant up to a maximum of £5,000 (£2,000 for new market traders) is available to new businesses opening on Goldthorpe High Street.

Criteria for funding:

• The funding is eligible for the opening of a business in the Goldthorpe High Street area or for a new market trader.
• Businesses and Market Traders must be willing to work with Barnsley’s Council Launchpad programme in developing business plan.

It is expected that the grant would be used for the initial costs of setting up the business. The grant is required to be spent in a capital funding nature, on items like: supplies, new machinery, advertising, stalls, signs etc.