Tech town's digital business growth centre opens

2 days ago

Lucy AshtonSouth Yorkshire political reporter

News image — The Yorkshire Rose sculptures at the new The Seam digital campus

Barnsley Council Three towering metal structures have ornate filigree in the shape of roses and are lit up with white lights in the night sky — The Yorkshire Rose sculptures at the new The Seam digital campus

A new digital campus has opened in Barnsley to celebrate the town becoming the UK's first government-backed Tech Town.

Phase one of The Seam campus will be a home for businesses to start and grow.

It opened with an evening light show, which illuminated three giant Yorkshire Rose sculptures at its centre.

Sir Stephen Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: "The Yorkshire Rose sculptures are an incredible addition to our town centre and will be a proud symbol of our new status as the UK's first government-backed Tech Town."

The Seam is situated within what has been called the UK's first Investment Zone and aims to bring public and private sectors together to stimulate the growth of technology and digital businesses.

The Yorkshire roses, designed by Tim Ward, stand above an urban park made up of a biodiversity garden, a digital garden and the town centre link.

Barnsley Council A towering metal structure has ornate filigree in the shape of a rose and is lit up with blue lights in the night sky. A crown of people are looking up at it — A Yorkshire rose sculpture at the new The Seam digital campus

The central 15m (49ft) sculpture has been named the Mater (mother) Rose, while the two additional 12m (39ft) installations flanking it have been named the Pruna (glowing coal) Rose and Vitrum (glass) Rose, honouring the borough's industrial heritage.

The Seam opened with a performance from Barnsley Youth Choir followed by a light and sound display from the sculptures.

The car park has been upgraded with electric vehicle chargers, additional trees, better lighting and CCTV and has reopened, bringing 286 spaces back into use.

Sir Stephen added: "It's fantastic to open phase one of a project which has been years in the making and the technology involved is second to none.

"We wanted to add something unique to Barnsley but our ambitions for The Seam don't stop at phase one.

"Plans for phase two include a high-quality hotel, a National Centre for Digital Technologies and a third digital media centre.

"This will make it a hub for tech and digital businesses and a catalyst for further growth and innovation in our local and regional economy."

Planning is already under way for the roses to become a feature of future events including Christmas and the council's bid to be UK Town of Culture 2028.

The development has been funded through the Future High Streets Funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and council funding.

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