BARROW'S port celebrates its 150th anniversary this year and the 21st year that it has welcomed cruise ships.

The port has been attracting vessels full of holidaymakers since 1995, with their impact being felt by shops, attractions and a whole host of other businesses.

Could it become a regular host of these vessels?

According to Chris Clouter, the assistant port manager, it would be possible for Barrow to welcome "four or five" each year with the port – owned by Associated British Ports – in its current condition.

Getting them to come to the town though is not too simple.

Mr Clouter said: "It is not a straightforward process to get them here because they plan their itineraries from a starting point which puts them around Barrow at a certain point and whether they are going to come into Barrow comes down to the tide times.

"The tides are fixed and if they fit the ship it will sail to Barrow."

He pointed out that the port has to provide a temporary reception for passengers when they arrive in Furness, something that is not an issue at bigger ports such as Southampton, and this would need to change if the port was to become a more regular stopping point for cruise liners.

"The passengers are always impressed with the warm welcome they get at the port, Barrow as a town and the shore excursions," Mr Clouter added.

"People always assume cruise ship passengers come to Barrow, get on a bus and go into the Lakes but I find a good proportion will spend time in Barrow and there is also a crew of 300 who will take their business into the town centre."

His colleague, Carl Bevan, divisional port manager, added that Barrow's location near the Lakes did make it an attractive stop.

In 2016, more than 800 visitors came to Barrow on board the largest cruise ship to ever visit the town.

Passengers from MS Braemar visited Barrow town centre, Furness Abbey and the Dock Museum. Around half of the visitors also went on organised trips to the Lakes and to Holker Hall.

The cruise ship was the second such vessel to stop at Barrow and all of these visits were seen to boost the area's profile, tourist numbers and help the economy.

Keith Johnson, the assistant director for community services at Barrow Borough Council, is very enthusiastic about the cruise ships visiting Furness and hopes for more to do so in the future.

He said: “Last summer, we were delighted that Associated British Ports were able to arrange for two cruise ships to visit Barrow in Furness, with one of those vessels, MS Braemar , being the largest cruise ship to visit in over 20 years."

Mr Johnson believes that there is plenty to sell south Cumbria on to cruise passengers.

"Barrow has a great deal to offer the tourist on a tight schedule, and can also arrange excursions to the attractions of the south Lakes," he said.

"We know that cruise passengers are usually 'cash rich/time poor', and many businesses in the area report that their takings rise as a result of these short visits.

"As a local authority we are keen to work to see any expansion in the use of the Port of Barrow to host cruise ships visits in the future."

Ian Stephens, the managing director at Cumbria Tourism, is also enthusiastic but does have some concerns.

He said: “Studies into the potential market for increasing cruise ship visits to Cumbria’s ports were undertaken back in 2003 and 2004.

"At that time it was concluded that there were considerable operational constraints relating to berth size, tidal access (most cruise ship operators required 24-hour access) and exposure to wind and weather when at anchor.

"Circumstances may well have changed and there’s no doubt that the Port of Barrow has a long association with the maritime industry and Barrow – and other Cumbrian ports – could be a new gateway for visitors to discover the vast range of attractions and itineraries our county has to offer.”

What can we offer guests who have 24 hours in Barrow?

YOU are on an expensive holiday and have packed plenty of spending money but only have a short amount of time – 24 hours at a maximum – in your location, what should you do?

This is a dilemma which routinely affects passengers on cruise ships who will only dock in the ports they are travelling to for a very short period. They are frequently described as time poor but cash rich.

So if you found yourself in the Furness area after your ship had docked in Barrow and had 24 hours to enjoy this part of Cumbria, what attractions would be open to you?

According to TripAdvisor, the leading travel website, the best thing to do in Barrow would not take too long for them to get too – The Dock Museum. This features exhibits relating to the town’s history with a focus on the shipbuilding industry, the steel industry, the railway and the Second World War bombings of the town.

Second on the list is Furness Abbey, which dates back to the 1100s, was constructed by Stephen, Count of Boulogne who later went on to become King of England. Government body English Heritage is carrying out emergency conservation work to stop the ruined abbey sinking into the soft ground. This follows earlier routine inspections which revealed serious cracks in the walls; medieval masons used large pieces of oak in the foundations and after 500 years, this timber is now gradually giving way.

Other attractions the site highlights include Piel Island, Barrow Park, South Walney Nature Reserve and, perhaps more surprisingly, the town’s public library.

Tourists might also be interested in Barrow’s close proximity to the Lake District. Phil Collier, the manager of the town’s Business Improvement District, though thought it was important to make sure any visitors know that there is plenty to do in Barrow.

He said: “We have got some fantastic heritage in the town both historical and natural so I think there are some significant opportunities there – it is something that is on our minds.

“It would be a huge opportunity missed if tourists were picked up and driven through to the Lakes.

“There has to be understanding between the retail, the evening and the night time economies.”

He also said: “I think anything that brings people into and through the town has obviously got to be beneficial, it is so much about footfall.

“The crucial part is making sure that coaches do not just pick them up from the port and and whisk them off to Windermere or the rest of the Lakes.

“We have got to have an offering for them here.”