WG Catering

10/07/2026

If you've not already then please leave us a review on TripAdvisor, every review helps our cause. Thank you to everyone that has enjoyed our food. It means so much to us. You are the reason we keep going 💞

10/07/2026

✨ We're back... and working hard on our next steps! ✨
We can’t thank you enough for the incredible support you have given us over the last few weeks.
To keep you in the loop: Currently we still need to vacate the site on the 20th July for scheduled resurfacing. We have an upcoming meeting to discuss the future, nothing is "concrete" just yet (pardon the pun! 🛠️)—but we are working with the council to explore longer term options.

Huge thanks also go to our local councillors for listening to the community, stepping in, and helping continue trading "temporarily".

We also owe our debt of gratitude to the team at Maison Du Biere for giving us the opportunity to provide the catering for them. 🤝

How you can help us this week?

Make a day of it: Come down and support the whole Elsecar Heritage Centre family! Explore the many unique independent businesses here, as well as the Elsecar Park, reservoir walks, canal walks and so much more.🛍️✨

Come and enjoy a bite to eat and a drink : Grab a craft beer, gin, wine or your favourite beverage from Maison Du Biere and pair it with food from us at Earls Kitchen.

Share the love: Snap a photo of you enjoying your visit and share below. Hit share on this post so everyone knows that we are open this weekend.

Thank you for being the best community we could ask for. Let's stay positive and fingers crossed for the future of Earl's Kitchen.

Councillor Michael Davies - Hoyland Milton Reform UK Cllr Rachael Kay, Hoyland Milton, Reform UK
Reform UK Hoyland Milton & Rockingham Ward

08/07/2026

Is there anyone of our followers that could help this little girl? 🙏🙏

08/07/2026

What an amazing community 👏👏👏👏 well done to each and everyone of you ❣️❣️❤️❤️

WG Catering to Remain at Elsecar Heritage Centre Following Community Support

There has been a positive outcome for WG Catering, who have confirmed they will be remaining at Elsecar Heritage Centre following weeks of uncertainty.

The small independent business described the last few weeks as "incredibly stressful", but said the overwhelming support from customers, residents and the wider community helped make a real difference.

In a statement, WG Catering said they were "absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved" to be able to continue serving visitors at the Heritage Centre. They thanked everyone who shared messages of support across social media, as well as the local Reform UK Hoyland Milton & Rockingham Ward councillors, who worked alongside them throughout the situation.

The business also acknowledged that while there had been initial breakdowns in communication regarding their future at the site, they were pleased that Barnsley Council had listened to the concerns raised by the community and worked with them to reach a positive resolution.

WG Catering said their focus now is the same as everyone else's – seeing Elsecar Heritage Centre become a thriving destination for families, visitors and local businesses.

They added that they look forward to working constructively with the Council in the future and are excited to get back to doing what they do best: serving great food to the people of Barnsley and beyond.

The business also expressed special thanks to Cllr Rachael Kay, Cllr Michael Davies, and Andy Cudworth for their support throughout the process.

Cllr Michael Davies welcomed the news, saying:

"This is the outcome we were all hoping for. From day one, our priority has been to support our local businesses and ensure Elsecar Heritage Centre remains a thriving destination for residents and visitors alike. I'm delighted that common sense has prevailed, that WG Catering can continue serving the community, and that Barnsley Council has listened to the concerns raised by businesses, councillors and the public. We all want the same thing – a successful, vibrant Elsecar where independent businesses are supported to flourish. This is a positive step forward, and I look forward to working constructively with everyone involved to build an even brighter future for the Heritage Centre."

This is welcome news for many visitors and local businesses, with many hoping it marks the beginning of a more positive chapter for Elsecar Heritage Centre and its valued independent traders.

Admin Comment

It's nice to be able to share some positive news for a change. 👍

Over the past few weeks we've seen just how passionate people are about Elsecar Heritage Centre and the independent businesses that call it home. The strength of community support has undoubtedly played a huge part in reaching this positive outcome.

We also want to recognise Barnsley Council for listening to the concerns that were raised and working with WG Catering to find a solution.

As many of you know, we've been working closely behind the scenes with tenants, councillors and officers to help find a way forward. While there is still plenty of work to do at Elsecar Heritage Centre, this shows that when the community, businesses and the Council work together, positive outcomes can be achieved.

Let's hope this is the start of a fresh chapter for Elsecar Heritage Centre. Our focus now should be on supporting all of the businesses on site, increasing footfall, filling the empty units and making Elsecar the thriving destination we all know it can be. ❤️

08/07/2026

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved to be able to stay at the Elsecar Heritage Centre. The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful for us as a small independent business, but the overwhelming wave of support we’ve received from the local community on social media has been genuinely humbling. We also owe a huge thank you to the local Reform UK Hoyland Milton & Rockingham Ward councillors who stepped up to help us navigate this challenging time.
​While there were clearly some initial breakdowns in communication regarding our position on site, we are very pleased that Barnsley Council has listened to the community and worked with us to allow us to stay for now.
​At the end of the day, we all want the exact same thing: to see Elsecar Heritage Centre thrive as a vibrant, bustling destination for families and visitors. We look forward to working constructively and positively alongside the council moving forward, and we can’t wait to get back to doing what we do best—serving great food to the brilliant people of Barnsley and further afield.

Special thanks go to Cllr Rachael Kay, Hoyland Milton, Reform UK, Councillor Michael Davies - Hoyland Milton Reform UK and Andy Cudworth for their support.

08/07/2026

Yay!!! 🙌 We have been given permission to stay to provide the food offering this weekend at Elsecar Heritage Centre Yorkshire Black Diamond Classic Sportive 2026 Event.

The Yorkshire Black Diamond Sportive takes riders into the heart of the Yorkshire Coalfield, on the edge of the stunning Peak District National Park. HQ is based at the beautiful Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Rd, Barnsley S74 8HJ

New for 2026, the event introduces two routes—Grand and Medio—both designed around the Barnsley town boundary. Riders will experience the area’s rich mining heritage alongside the breathtaking hills and panoramic views that surround the town.

Therefore, the Grand route spans 71 miles (115 km), rated 3/5 in difficulty, with a back-loaded challenge of hills and approximately 5,000 feet of climbing. The Medio route covers 42 miles (68 km) with around 3,000 feet of elevation gain—perfect for riders seeking a slightly shorter but still rewarding experience.

Both routes for this small and friendly sportive start and finish at the historic Elsecar Heritage Centre, with one free post-ride drink for participants hosted at Maison Du Biere food available, offering the perfect way to celebrate your ride.

Food available from Earls Kitchen WG Catering.
supported by Barnsley Road Club 1924

07/07/2026

Just want to thank everyone that has liked and given us a review. The support for us has been incredibly heart warming. Currently we have no update from the council to opening this weekend but we are staying positive. Please let Reform UK Hoyland Milton & Rockingham Ward know that you want us to stay at Elsecar Heritage Centre.


Councillor Michael Davies - Hoyland Milton Reform UK
Cllr Rachael Kay, Hoyland Milton, Reform UK
Barnsley Community
Barnsley Essentials
Barnsley Community Alliance
Nigel Farage

06/07/2026

Popular Elsecar Food Business Faces Closure Following Council Decision

A popular independent food business has issued an emotional plea for support after revealing it is set to close following a decision by Barnsley Council regarding catering provision at Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Earl's Kitchen, which has been operating at the Heritage Centre with the council's consent for the past 14 months, says it has been given just days' notice to leave after being informed there is "no opportunity for additional regular food providers" at the site.

In a heartfelt statement, the owners said:

"The council have decided that there isn't any opportunity for additional regular food providers at Elsecar Heritage Centre despite the fact Earl's Kitchen has been operating with their consent for the last 14 months. Giving us just days' notice to leave. We are absolutely devastated. We have asked for some common sense by BMBC and to reconsider their decision."

The timing of the decision has come as a particular blow, with the Black Diamond Classic Sportive taking place next weekend. Earl's Kitchen says it had been the preferred catering partner for the event and had hoped to continue serving visitors to the Heritage Centre.

The business has now launched a final appeal to customers, asking anyone who has enjoyed their food to leave a five-star review on TripAdvisor in the hope it will help support the business going forward.

The situation has also prompted action from local ward councillors, who say they are continuing to work behind the scenes in an effort to find a solution.

Cllr Michael Davies, representing Hoyland Milton Ward, said:

"This is incredibly disappointing news, not just for Earl's Kitchen, but for Elsecar Heritage Centre as a whole. Independent businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, and they deserve every opportunity to succeed.

I want to reassure residents that the Hoyland Milton and Rockingham ward councillors are working closely with council officers to see whether a sensible agreement can be reached that allows Earl's Kitchen to continue operating.

This isn't just about one business. For several weeks we've been working alongside the tenants of Elsecar Heritage Centre to address a number of concerns and to help secure a positive future for everyone based there. We remain committed to supporting those businesses, listening to their concerns and finding practical solutions wherever possible. We very much hope that common sense can prevail and that a way forward can be found."

Cllr Rachael Kay added:

"We know how worrying this is for Earl's Kitchen and the other businesses at Elsecar Heritage Centre. I want to reassure everyone that we are continuing to work with council officers and the tenants to find a positive solution. Discussions are ongoing, and we remain committed to supporting the businesses at the Heritage Centre and doing everything we can to help achieve the best possible outcome."

The owners say this weekend could now be their last unless the decision is reconsidered.

MyHoyland understands that discussions between councillors, council officers and tenants are continuing, with hopes that a solution can still be found to support both Earl's Kitchen and the wider future of businesses at Elsecar Heritage Centre.

If you've enjoyed a meal at Earl's Kitchen, the business is asking supporters to search for "Earl's Kitchen Barnsley" on TripAdvisor and leave a short five-star review explaining why you enjoyed your visit. Every review could make a difference.

05/07/2026

WE AREN'T CLOSED YET! ✨🤞🤞🤞🤞
We just want to thank each and everyone of you who messaged, visit, review, emailed etc. It means so much to us ❤️❤️❤️❤️ YOU ARE ALL LEGENDS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We really didn't expect the support from such an amazing community ❤️ Thank you.

​The decision is still pending, but tomorrow is our final scheduled day of trading under our current notice.

​We want tomorrow to be a massive thank you to Elsecar. We are trading from 10am to 6pm. Stock is limited due to the uncertainty of our position. If you’ve supported us over the last 14 months, today is the day to come down, grab a bite, and stand with us.

​We are keeping discussions friendly and hopeful with management and local councillors to see if we can adapt and stay a part of Elsecar's future.

​💬 WE NEED YOUR VOICES: If you want Earl's Kitchen to stay at Elsecar, like our page and leave a comment below telling us why you love our spot. Let's keep it positive, constructive, and filled with community spirit!

​See you tomorrow for burgers, beers, and good vibes. Let’s make it a busy one! 🍔🍻