A £120,000 refurbishment of a Grimethorpe eyesore has got underway.

John and Julie Clare have bought the ‘In Cod We Trust’ building on the High Street and renovation work has started.

The building has been derelict for ten years and the first job has been to get electricity, gas and water supplies installed.

Scaffolding will be going up next week so re- roofing and re-pointing work can start. New dormers and a new shop front will be added.

The couple, who own the Home Farm Bakeries business which has shops across Barnsley, will relocate their Grimethorpe shop into the building.

The premises will have a two-bedroomed flat, a bakery and shop. The couple also hope to have a cafe.

Staff at the current Grimethorpe business will all move to the new shop which is expected to be open by Christmas.

Julie said: “We decided the way forward for our business in Grimethorpe was to buy the property rather than lease or rent and we are trying to do that with all our shops.

“The state of the building daunted me but for John the bigger the challenge the better. The shop has created a bad image for Grimethorpe and it will do that the world of good to have it renovated.”

Coun Alex Vodden said: “I fully support what Mr Clare is doing, it will be the last eye sore on the High Street and spoils the whole outlook."

*The building was named the ‘In Cod We Trust’ shop for the film ‘Brassed Off’.