The South Kirkby Health Centre on Barnsley Road once served as a vital medical hub, offering treatments, advice and vaccinations to the local community.
However, the centre’s closure was initiated in 2012 with the opening of a new health centre at Langthwaite House, Langthwaite Road, serving South Kirkby and South Elmsall.
Since then, the old clinic has suffered from repeated vandalism and multiple fires.
In December 2020, the building’s future seemed promising when plans were approved to transform it into a Co-op store.
Yet by March 2022, Central England Co-op announced it had withdrawn interest in leasing the site, stating:
“We never owned this site but, previously, had been in talks to take on the lease for a new store subject to planning permission. However, we have since decided that will no longer pursing plans for a store at the site.”
With redevelopment plans abandoned, the health centre remains derelict, continuing to attract criticism from local residents who describe it as an “eyesore.”
Urban explorer group Lost Places & Forgotten Faces has captured the building’s current neglected state through this series of photographs.
1. Empty Health Centre
The site sits derelict, dilapidated and fire damaged in South Kirby. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces
2. Derelict and dangerous
Since closure, the site has become victim to mindless vandalism and the subject of numerous fires. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces
3. Potential buyer
In December 2020, plans were approved to convert the derelict health centre into a Co-op store. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces
4. Left alone
However, 15 months later, the Co-op walked away from the site. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces
5. Left abandoned
The site consisted of a single storied building which once would have welcomed many patients that lived in the local area. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces
6. NYWE-05-01-2024-Medical Centre12-YOR
The South Kirkby Health Centre remains for sale. Photo: Google Maps