AN ambitious plan to one day open the doors of an iconic building in Barrow at weekends for tours is being drawn up.

It's hoped that a 'Friends Of Barrow Town Hall' group will be set up and heritage funding can be secured to open the Duke Street landmark to the community regularly on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Barrow Town Hall clock tower. The Victorian-era, neo-gothic building, which was built in the 1880s, is home to lots of impressive rooms, including the banquet hall, original 19th century furniture and stained glass windows featuring the likes of William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, and Sir James Ramsden.

New vision

Tours of Barrow Town Hall are occasionally booked and held during the week but it's hoped by opening the building at weekends more people will be able to come along and find out about the town's history.

Councillor Anita Husband, the mayor of Barrow, said: "It's a wonderful building. We are trying to get a group together because obviously we are looking at when the cruise ships come into Barrow for people to come around.

"We want tourists to come in and have a look because this town hall holds so much heritage. It would be lovely to see."


The Queen's Hall ceiling. There is history and a story to be told in every nook and cranny of Barrow Town Hall, ranging from a commemorative plaque presented by Princess Margaret during a visit in 1967 to wood carvings by Sir Henry Moore.

Despite popular folklore, due to the main plaza being to the exterior of the building, the town hall was not mistakenly built back to front. The front is the Duke Street facing side.

The Grade II* venue is currently closed at the weekends but it's hoped that might change.

Councillor Colin Thomson, Barrow Borough Council member for Walney South, said: "We think it should be open to the public - it's their town hall. At the moment come 4pm on Friday it gets locked up."

Fascinating history

Members of the public got a taste of what the tours might involve when they were given a guided tour by Barrow Town Hall steward yesterday.

Jake Lake, Barrow Town Hall steward, said: "This is the trial run and in the future we will get this shown off a lot more."

During the tour, lots of historic artefacts were pointed out including a hand-painted fruit bowl presented to the people of Barrow from Admiral Togo during a visit to inspect Japanese warships being built in the shipyard.

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According to TripAdvisor, a visit to Barrow Town Hall is the 11th most popular thing to do in the town.

One reviewer said: "Local people sometimes take this wonderful building for granted. A work of art on our doorstep."

Anyone interested in being part of the Friends of Barrow Town Hall is asked to ring 01229 876300. After interest and numbers are established, a meeting will be set up.