A LOCAL landmark has benefitted from a complete roof replacement to safeguard and waterproof the historic building thanks to part of a £5m investment.

Penistone Town Hall - which also houses the Paramount Cinema, Penistone Masonic Lodge 1462 and local business Matthew Rico Fitness - opened for council offices in 1914 alongside the Carnegie Free Library, which had opened a year earlier.

However, over the past few years the building on Shrewsbury Road has suffered numerous leaks, pushing Barnsley Council to remove and entirely replace the roof.

Work done was funded through the Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme, which has already seen £5m investing into the council’s six principal towns and ten local centres, with a further £30m expected to be invested over the next five years.

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “I’m sure Penistone Town Council and the staff and customers of the Paramount Cinema will welcome the completion of these works.

“This is one of the key landmarks in the town and an important piece of its heritage.

“Replacing the roof of the town hall and the Paramount shows our commitment to safeguarding Barnsley’s treasured public places.”

Chair of Penistone Area Council, Coun David Greenhough, added: “We are delighted the works to our much-loved and historic town hall have been completed.

“Many thanks to M.A.M Roofing (Services) for working with the cinema to enable them to remain open during the works.

“Cinema, the arts, and community projects from Penistone and the surrounding area will continue to find a welcoming home in this newly-conserved local landmark.”