Town Hall/Cinema
The council chamber, previous library, masonic hall and the town hall/cinema were all built about the same time 1913/1914 and were largely financed by public subscription and a generous donation from Andrew Carnegie, the Scots-American steel philanthropist.
Barnsley council took control of the town hall building in the early 1970s, after local government reorganisation. They immediately bumped up hiring costs (in line with other BMBC controlled buildings) and effectively closed down various groups who regularly used the town hall, such as old-time dancing, etc. The floor is sprung for dancing and seating had to be laboriously removed each week for it to take place. The sprung floor is now chocked up and the seating does not move.
In recent times, BMBC have indicated an intention to sell off the building, as though they had paid for it, with no regard for local feelings. The situation in 2006 was that the (now late) councillor George Punt was trying to firmly establish the legal ownership of the building. My own casual enquiries of the Carnegie Institute did not yield anything useful either. I have since heard (2008) that Barnsley Council has 'lost' the deeds.
The situation when the lease expires in 2019 is uncertain and whilst Barnsley council might have some technical claim on our building, they never paid toward it being built. Our taxes pay for its upkeep, no matter whichever route it is being financed. There is likely to be fierce and unprecedented hostility if Barnsley Council press to demolish or sell our Town Hall. The Audit Commission in Leeds deals with such ownership matters.
The Town Hall/Cinema is our most popular entertainment venue, with plays, films, live entertainment and a bar. It is a focal point for entertainment in the Penistone area and central to our town.
