THESE pencil sketches are a first glimpse of what Barnsley town centre will look like in just three years.

A £41m redevelopment of the town centre will begin next year, with preliminary works already underway.

The first artist's impression shows a new public square where the multicoloured window Central Offices stands now. The view is taken from the edge of the Interchange Square, opposite what is now the Groggers' Rest pub, and looks towards May Day Green.

At the centre of the image in the distance is the proposed new £4m central library, and to the left of it, the market hall, which will be extended with an attractive glass frontage facing into the square and outdoor stalls.

The second image is from a viewpoint in the south east corner of the new public square, looking down what will be a new shopping boulevard running along what is now the back of the market, through where the current semi-open market and multi-storey car park now stands.

The third image shows a new entrance into the market hall, viewed from New Street, with the front of the Alhambra shown on the right.

The plan is to emphasise the market as the 'centrepiece' of the town centre by making it possible to access it from all sides, and encouraging people to walk through.

There will be water features, and space for pavement cafes, street entertainment and public events.

* For the full story, see this week's town edition front page. *