DMC expansion to support creation of 100 jobs

Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre is set to be expanded, with the creation of about 100 jobs.

The Digital Media Centre is now home to more than 50 companies, complementing the £180m town centre-wide Glass Works regeneration and sits at the heart of a new Digital Campus.

Following the acquisition of the former ‘Core’ building in spring 2019, Barnsley Council has been supported by investment from Sheffield City Region to provide larger office space for businesses.

DMC II is set to open in summer 2020. A £1.7m refurbishment will provide eight large offices over three floors, with a ground floor co-working space and a brand-new maker space and ‘Internet of Things lab’, which will aid companies, students and start-ups in their development and progress.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We also need to provide inspiration through the Digital Campus. We’ve seen success in the DMC, by being a trailblazing place to work in Barnsley that encourages co-working, collaboration and creativity which fuels the success of Barnsley, as well as its businesses; we will continue these values into DMC II and the Campus.

“We want to provide a complete journey around more tech and digital jobs. The college will start the process, providing courses that meet business needs and a range of skills that inspire creativity with digital and tech. We already have businesses with requirements for more people with digital understanding and skills, the college’s commitment to provide this is a huge bonus to Barnsley and those building business here.”

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “It’s great to see the Digital Media Centre is going from strength to strength. It will be a hugely important part of Barnsley’s contribution to the future of digital technologies in the North.

“I’m pleased that the Sheffield City Region has invested more than £2m in the centre, creating more than 100 jobs and new opportunities for digital businesses to start up, grow and thrive.”