SOUTH Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard visited Barnsley Civic this week and praised its regeneration.

He was led on a tour of the creative arts hub by Dan Winder, the Civic’s CEO and artistic director.

The Civic’s expansion was partly funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), which is led by Mr Coppard.

The venue received £550,000 from SYMCA in 2022, which went towards the reopening of the historic Eldon Street entrance.

Mr Coppard visited The Old Art School, The Studio Theatre, The Exhibition Space and The Assembly Theatre.

He toured the office that temporarily houses the Base71 Youth Zone, whilst they prepare for their permanent move to Schwäbisch Gmünd Way.

He also met Lucy Dewsnap and Ailish Treanor, the Civic’s resident artists.

They discussed the inspiration behind their work and the importance of functional spaces for local artists to express their creativity.

Currently, some of the Civic’s spaces are unoccupied, such as Level Zero, which they hope to develop into a music venue.

The Civic’s Sleeping Beauty Charity Ball, taking place on November 8, will kick-start a fundraising campaign to breathe life into these disused spaces.

Mr Coppard celebrated the Civic’s commitment to community engagement efforts.

He said: “Art, culture and regeneration are central, not just in terms of the past of Barnsley, but in terms of the future of Barnsley.

“Everything in this town is about big ideas, it’s about ambition, it’s about creativity.

“It’s also about making sure that people who are from Barnsley and people who want to call Barnsley their home can stay near and go far.

“I’m incredibly proud to see what Barnsley is offering to people from all over the country.

“When they see it, I think they will be as impressed as I have been.”