Business leaders are working to ‘change the perception’ of Barrow town centre.

Representatives from the town's Business Improvement District (BID) met with company owners and concerned residents, as well as representatives from the council and the office of MP John Woodcock.

They unveiled their programme of improvement and outlined the BID’s strategy to encourage more people to visit and shop in the town centre.

The document covered various initiatives planned and was divided in to the BID's signature categories of a better, busier, brighter and boosted Barrow.

One key focus of the meeting was changing the negative perception surrounding the high street.

Bid manager Colin Garnett said: “We have to change the perceptions of our town centre. We need to use it or we will lose it. We have to be positive.

“We cannot decide not to do things just because we’re scared of them being vandalised or damaged.

“I want Barrow to be able compete with places like Ulverston.

“I want to be proud of my town and I want to be able to go out and enjoy myself in the town.”

Mr Garnett explained the BID’s vision for a ‘Better Barrow’ focussed on the idea of promoting the BID as a brand and also highlighting the town centre as a destination for shopping, food and drink, nightlife as well as events and tourism.

The ‘Busier Barrow’ objective involves improving parking in the area, as well as boosting general access to the town centre.

‘Brighter Barrow’ highlighted signs which point people to businesses in Scott Street and Cavendish Street, which are already in place, and plans to install more.

‘Boosting Barrow’ is a project where the BID is hoping to work with businesses and companies to boost the economy.

An example of this is working alongside Furness College to promote their TOTUM cards which will give discounts and attract young people to the town centre.

Business engagement was another key focus in the meeting.

Questions were raised by the business owners about how town centre events would benefit shops in the area. Mr Garnett confirmed the BID was making efforts to allow local businesses to trade during outside their shops during events like the SoapBox Race. He said: “I would much prefer to fill the streets with local businesses.”

Simon Craig, chair of the board at Barrow BID, said major events are designed to bring higher footfall to the town centre, but businesses must take on some responsibility in deciding how they can best capitalise on these events and the increased visitor numbers.