15/09/2026
📽️ PENISTONE PARAMOUNT - LET'S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Recent headlines suggesting that Barnsley's Reform-led administration has refused to invest in Pen*stone Paramount are simply not true.
The truth is that the Council has already committed £849,000 to securing and improving the building.
✅ £453,000 has been invested in a new roof, pipework and guttering to make the building safe, secure and weatherproof.
✅ A further £396,000 has been allocated to essential landlord and compliance works, including asbestos removal, boiler infrastructure, electrical works and other building safety requirements. Some of this work is still ongoing and is expected to continue over the coming months.
These are not optional improvements. They are vital works that protect the building, preserve its future and ensure it remains a viable community asset for years to come.
The work that will not proceed is a separate £1 million redevelopment scheme, which primarily involved:
- Creating an additional cinema screen
- Developing a café bar
- Dividing parts of the Town Hall into three separate commercial units
- Creating a new accessible entrance
It is important to remember that Pen*stone Paramount already has a cinema and continues to operate as a valued theatre, entertainment and community venue.
The question, therefore, is not whether we support the Paramount. We do.
The question is whether taxpayers should be expected to fund commercial expansion projects when there may be opportunities to attract private sector investment instead.
At a time when council budgets are under immense pressure, we believe public money should first be used to protect important assets, meet legal and safety obligations, and deliver essential services to residents.
That is exactly what has happened here. Nearly £850,000 has been invested in safeguarding the building, while £1 million of discretionary redevelopment spending has been avoided and can now be redirected towards wider priorities across the borough.
Work is also continuing to assess the building's long-term future. Officers are currently exploring a range of options, including flexible workspace, meeting facilities, leisure and cultural uses, mixed-use models, and potential partnership arrangements with external operators or investors.
Our approach is straightforward: make the building safe, compliant and fit for the future, then create the conditions for sustainable investment and growth.
💬 The Leader of Reform Barnsley, Cllr William Brown said:
"Pen*stone Paramount plays an important role in our community, and that's exactly why almost £850,000 has already been invested in essential works to protect the building and secure its future.
“The decision that has been made is not about withdrawing support from the Paramount. It's about ensuring public money is used responsibly and delivers the greatest benefit for residents.
“There is a clear difference between investing in the preservation of a valued community asset and using taxpayers' money to fund commercial development. Our priority as landlord and owner of the property is to ensure the building is safe, compliant and fit for the future, while creating opportunities to attract private investment and sustainable long-term growth, this is a common-sense approach to using residents' money wisely.
“We want to see Pen*stone Paramount continue to thrive, and we believe the best way to achieve that is by protecting the building, supporting its current use, and exploring opportunities that reduce the burden on local taxpayers while strengthening its future for generations to come."
