Over 100 tech jobs coming to Barnsley in summer 2020 with digital media hub opening

The Barnsley Digital Media Centre (DMC 01) is expanding with the creation of DMC 02 creating over 100 digital jobs for the local area.

This follows on from three years of growth. DMC 01 is owned and managed by Barnsley Council and is occupied by over 50 companies.

The construction is said to be part of the town centre’s £180m regeneration vision, and the new site will be part of a digital campus to open up more jobs and investment for the borough.

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 Barnsley’s growing businesses looking to scale up.

The new DMC 02 will 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 new maker space and Internet of Things lab which could help companies, students and startups.

Martin Oldham, commercial director for Bob’s Business, a DMC 01 Tenant, said: “For us, the DMC 01 provides a community-based workplace that our business sector of cybersecurity fits perfectly in.

“As a rapidly growing company, the larger office space which matches the DMC values is an exciting one.”

Driving and developing the purpose of the campus has been down to the local ‘TechTown’ project group as well as senior public and private sector stakeholders including Barnsley Economic Partnership.

The TechTown group brings together partners from business, education and the public sector to work together, establishing plans and a ‘digital future’ for the town.

DMC 02 will work alongside DMC 01 as a place for anyone with a digital business idea to start and scale their company and as a collaboration space for companies wanting to do more with technology in their own business.

In collaboration with this, forming a key part of the campus, Barnsley College will begin the redevelopment of the SciTech building to create a digital learning hub.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, added: “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.”