Base71, Yorkshire’s first Youth Zone officially opened its doors on Saturday, marking a major milestone for young people in the borough. As the first of three OnSide Youth Zones due to open in 2026, the launch was celebrated with a vibrant opening event that welcomed over 2000 young people and their families.
Barnsley Council leader Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton cut the ribbon with Mandy Carlson, Base71 CEO; guests included the charity’s Founder Patrons and funders, including ASOS. They were joined by local dignitaries, including Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth and Barnsley South MP, Stephanie Peacock, alongside members of the Young People’s Development Group (YPDG) and Base71 staff who officially declared the Youth Zone open.
Once the doors opened, young people and their families were invited to explore the brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities now available to Barnsley’s young people. Throughout the day, visitors took part in a wide range of activities, from scaling the climbing wall and creating music in the music room and recording studio, to expressing themselves through arts and crafts, dance and drama.
The celebrations continued with food and live entertainment, before ending at 3pm as the Youth Zone’s full seven-day-a-week programme got underway.
Demand for the Youth Zone has already been incredibly strong, with over 3,400 young people signed up as members. Membership costs £5 per year, with a 50p fee per visit. To ensure the Youth Zone is accessible to as many young people as possible, Barnsley Council has committed to covering the annual membership fee for under-18s living in a Barnsley postcode who join before March 2026.
The Youth Zone will host junior sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with senior sessions taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Inclusion sessions will also be available on Sunday mornings.
CEO Mandy Carlson said: “After years of planning and countless hours of hard work by our team, we are thrilled to finally open our doors to the young people of Barnsley. We have already exceeded our initial membership and visitor targets throughout our soft launch phase, which clearly demonstrates the demand for Base71 within our community. We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters and funders, including Barnsley Council and ASOS. Without their commitment, this valuable new asset for the borough would not have been possible.”
Cllr Ashley Peace, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services at Barnsley Council, said: “The opening of Base71 Youth Zone on 17 January is a hugely positive milestone for our borough. This fantastic new facility shows a real investment in our children and young people, providing a safe, welcoming and inspiring place where they can build confidence, develop skills, and thrive.
We’re incredibly proud to have worked in partnership to help make Base71 a reality – a place where young people can find encouragement, guidance, and opportunities to unlock their potential. As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we’re covering the £5 annual membership fee for the first year for all eligible young people aged 8 to 18 in Barnsley – please do make the most of this offer and sign up today.”
Vanessa Spence, EVP Brand and Creative at ASOS and Trustee of the ASOS Foundation said
“Base71 is a brilliant new space where young people can feel safe, be inspired and find their community. Through the ASOS Foundation, we invest in high‑impact projects that empower young people and create pathways to economic and social mobility, so we’re proud to have opened a hub where young people across Barnsley have the opportunity to try sport, tech, art and music, and to build confidence for the future.”
