THE future of a historic building and the birthplace of one of Ulverston's most famous sons is being put to the public.

A consultation has been approved to seek opinions on what should happen to Sir John Barrow Cottage in Dragley Beck.

The Grade II listed building was the former home of the explorer and founding member of the Royal Geographical Society, Sir John Barrow, who gives his name to the primary and nursery school in Argyle Street.

The 500-year-old cottage, which is closed, is owned by Ulverston Town Council and has been leased to Ulverston First, a volunteer heritage group.

Members of the council voted to approve a consultation process at their meeting on Monday night and they want to hear the thoughts of the community.

Some of the options for the cottage's future include whether public money should be spent on restoring the site so it can reopen, or whether it should be sold.

Public involvement

The mayor of Ulverston, Councillor Mark Wilson, said: "We don't want to ignore the public, because the building is in the hands of the council to manage for the public.

"We did have some members of the public come along to offer their suggestions and ideas, and we've had ideas before, but we're still seeking more.
Sir John Barrow Cottage. JON GRANGER

"We're looking across the whole spectrum, with a full consultation planned for September about how that might be organised. We've not determined the nature of that consultation yet, but it will be one in its fullest form.

"We will welcome every idea - we've not got a preferred option - we can come up with new options.

"It might be that a variety of local groups come together to provide the answer. We've just got to make sure whatever we choose stacks up right."

The former shop has been shut since the previous tenants, the conservation group Heritage First, dissolved.

It isn't the first time that efforts have been made to come up with a solution to the cottage's future.

Read previous stories from 2014 and 2012 .

Councillor Norman Bishop-Rowe said it was important that the public had its say on such an iconic landmark.

He said: "It's going out to full consultation. We need to work out the terms.

"We need to listen to what the people of the town think.

"I would like to keep it because of the local link, but it's the cost.

"It was Barrow's home and various places around the world are named after him like in Alaska.

"There is quite a lot of interest from the Civic Society."

Facts about Sir John Barrow


- Sir John Barrow was born on June 19 1764 and died at the age of 84.

- His career saw him travel the world as a statesman and writer, ultimately becoming the Second Secretary to the Admiralty and charged with the running the British Navy.

- Some of his many talents included being a maths teacher and speaking Chinese.

- The Barrow Strait in the Canadian Arctic and Barrow in Alaska are named after him.

- Sir John Barrow's life and work are also commemorated in the famous monument on Hoad Hill, which overlooks Ulverston. It was built in 1850 and was restored at a cost of £1.2 million in 2009/10.