Regeneration
Whether you love browsing independent shops, watching the world go by over a latte, indulging in some planet-saving shopping or strolling in nature, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Penistone. Its a town with a rich history with its eyes firmly on the future.
Penistone has been a market town since medieval times. The market remains a bustling feature of the town to this day.
Nestled in the foothills of the Pennines, the town has a proud farming history. It provides a gateway to the Trans Pennine Trail: a favourite with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Notable landmarks include the impressive Penistone Viaduct, St John the Baptist Church and the Penistone Paramount Cinema. Famous names linked with the town include early 20th century revolutionary Percy Toplis and current England international footballer John Stones, who played for Penistone Church FC.
What we’ve done
Find out more about what progress has been made across Penistone.
Penistone Sheep trail
Unveiled in November 2023, the Penistone Sheep is a public art trail aimed at bringing visitors flocking.
It features 11 granite sculptures of sheep. It includes those who are reading a book, roller-skating, ready to watch a film or enjoying a bike ride.
The trail is part of our work under the Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme. It encourages people to spend more time in their local high streets and inspire more visitors to come and explore what their local area has to offer.
Following consultation with local residents, businesses and community groups, artist Michael Disley was commissioned to shape 11 woolly new residents from natural granite for Penistone inspired by landmarks around the town.
The sheep trail is rooted in the heritage of Penistone, where sheep sales have been held for hundreds of years. The white faced woodland breed are also known as Penistone sheep.
As part of the project, Michael also worked with almost 100 children at four primary, holding special school of rock carving sessions.
Shopfront grants scheme
This initiative helped hundreds of businesses across Barnsley to refresh and update their signage and shopfronts.
In Penistone, 27 shops and businesses improved their premises with investment of £100,000 from us and £45,000 of match funding from business owners.
Public safety
New CCTV cameras have been installed to cover all areas of the town centre and reduce anti-social behaviour.
What we’re doing next
Find out more about what’s coming up for Penistone:
Penistone Town Hall
Renovation works at Penistone Town Hall are now underway to conserve this valued community asset and ensure its use by generations to come.
We're completely replacing the roof and guttering of the historic building, which is the base for Penistone Area Council and also houses the Penistone Paramount Cinema amongst other local businesses and community groups.
Work began at the start of August and is expected to be completed by late autumn.
Discussions about the development of Penistone Town Hall, which dates back to 1914, remain ongoing in consultation with various stakeholders and plans for the wider refurbishment of the building to extend its public use are at the design stage and subject to feasibility considerations.
More about Penistone
Penistone Market
Experience the heart of Penistone through the bustling market. It showcases new traders alongside stallholders who have been serving their loyal customers for decades.
The distinctive and centrally-located Market Barn hosts a market every Thursday and Saturday from 9am.
You can find fresh fruit ‘n’ veg, fish, artisan bread and delicious cheeses alongside homeware, handmade gifts and jewellery, animal treats, flowers, sweets, cards, hardware and key cutting services.
Our family-friendly Up-and-Coming Market is also held regularly. It offers new and established businesses the chance to showcase their products and grow their profile. It has live music and free face-painting adding to the sense of occasion.
The attractive town centre also boasts a host of independent businesses. It ranges from butchers, delicatessens, cafes, craft beer sellers to fashion, lingerie and bridal wear shops.
Penistone Library
Penistone library is open Monday to Saturday. Find Penistone Library on High Street, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6BR. Get directions on Google Maps.
Find out more about Penistone library and the facilities it offers.
Walking routes
Penistone has many scenic and countryside walking routes across the area.
Hear from our businesses and market traders
Penistone has a thriving and passionate business community Its led by the Love Penistone traders’ association.
Meet some of the entrepreneurs who have invested in Penistone in recent years - and some who have devoted decades to serving the town.
Business spotlight: All is Good
All is Good is a refill centre, gift shop and coffee shop in Penistone. It shows how sustainability can be at the centre of a successful business.
Owners Leanne Gill and Karen Close explain how Penistone has proved the ideal place to grow their sustainable business.
Support for businesses
A range of support is available in Barnsley. It includes support and advice for those looking to start their own business and help with finding the right job for you.
Find out more from:
Volunteer in Penistone
Whether you're a resident or a visitor, Penistone welcomes you to explore, connect, and be part of the vibrant tapestry of community life. Get to know dedicated individuals and groups contributing to the community's well-being.
Volunteering opportunities
You can find volunteering opportunities on the Barnsley CVS website, or contact your local area team.
Find out more about how to get started as a volunteer.
You can also follow Penistone Area Team on Facebook. We post photos of people taking part in projects like community clean-ups and bulb-planting, as well upcoming activities you could get involved with. For more information email penistoneteam@barnsley.gov.uk.
Organising your own events
We like to hear your ideas about how to improve where you live. You might even find other like-minded people in your area who'd be happy to get together to make improvements.
You can also apply for funding through your ward alliance for a project if you can show that it meets the local priorities for your area.
Keeping your neighbourhood safe
Your local policing team
The Barnsley West neighbourhood policing team is responsible for crime prevention and community safety in Penistone.
You can meet the team, get in touch and find details of Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings on the neighbourhood policing team webpage.
Report crime and anti-social via the South Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101. Dial 999 in an emergency.
Neighbourhood wardens
Our neighbourhood wardens are working hard in our communities to combat environmental crime and anti-social behaviour, but they rely on your help and support.
I’d like to be kept informed
We send updates by email to those who have asked to be kept informed. If you'd like to receive regular updates about what's going in your community, sign up to our newsletter.