Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire. The town of Barnsley has a population of over 270,000 people. It is just over 11 miles north of Sheffield and 17 miles south of Leeds. The town is historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Barnsley's industrial roots lie within the coal mining and glass making industries. The last coal mine to close in the town was Goldthorpe mine in 1994. Wire, linen and glass making were also important industries within the town. Only Glass making retains its importance within the town of Barnsley and there is still at least one large glass company operating in Barnsley today.
Presently the economy of Barnsley firmly relies on the service sectors which provide a great deal of employment within the town. Business parks on the M1 also create employment opportunities for residents of Barnsley. The regeneration of Barnsley town centre created new houses and offices to boost the economy of the town. Barnsley is situated in a convenient location to enable commuters to travel to the neighbouring cities of Sheffield and Leeds for work also.
Barnsley town centre has many shops which create jobs in the retail sector. The town also has its own market. There are plenty of things to do within the town of Barnsley and there are many pubs, bars, a cinema and retail units on the outskirts of the town. Barnsley council operates four museums in the town and there are also theatre companies as well as the town's traditional brass band heritage.
Part of Barnsley's regeneration projects included the creation of Barnsley Interchange; a combined bus and railway station within the town. Services by rail to the surrounding areas are frequent and include half hourly train services to Leeds which take just over 30 minutes. The nearest airport is just over 25 miles away in Doncaster. There is a direct bus service from the town to the airport.
Barnsley is home to a tradition of brass bands, which were originally formed as social clubs for the miner communities. Grimethorpe Colliery Band, located in Grimethorpe, 5 miles to the east of the town of Barnsley, is one of the best known brass bands in Britain. It rose to fame in the film “Brassed Off” and is now the 'artist in residence' at the Royal College of Music, London. The band has also boasts performances in Hyde Park during the Last Night of the Proms.