The scheme, which falls under The Glass Works Phase 1 project, won a prestigious National Site Award last Wednesday.

The National Site Awards 2019, part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, took place on Wednesday 28 March at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester. The entry for the new library for Barnsley Council picked up the Silver Award.

This well-respected prize recognises the library site’s exemplary standards of health and safety and consideration towards the workforce, the local community and its working environment. The level of input with the community was described as “unprecedented” by the panel.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a non-profit organisation founded in 1997 to help the construction industry improve its image. The scheme regularly audits and inspects over 6,000 sites in the UK to ensure highest possible standards are being met – further highlighting the scale of the achievement.

We are delighted to have received this prestigious award. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our construction operations have a positive impact on the communities in which we work. We are proud to be at the forefront of best practice in terms of health and safety, wellbeing and sustainability in the industry and will continue to drive this throughout the business.

Richard Grafton, Head of Policy and Compliance, Henry Boot Construction

The Library @ The Lightbox, which as the name suggests, features huge expenses of glass that will create a striking aura of light externally, is set to officially open its doors on Saturday 13 July. It will be the first new-build element of The Glass Works redevelopment scheme in Barnsley town centre.

Going far beyond the typical library offer, the impressive facility will be housed over four floors and boast a range of digital services, including cutting-edge virtual reality, a 65-inch interactive touch screen and tablet computers. The fully accessible building will also offer a sanctuary room for people with autism, community event space both inside and on its roof terrace, and a new café, bar and restaurant by Lounges.

We are scheduled to complete the works and officially hand the building over to Barnsley Council in Spring, allowing for the interior fit-out to begin. Details of the opening ceremony, which will feature a full programme of family-friendly activities and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be announced in the very near future.