BARROW is on the verge of "considerable change for the better", it has been said.

New developments across the town have been hailed by the manager of an economic development group.

Stuart Klosinski, programme manager of Furness Economic Development, lauded a series of developments close to the railway station, saying the gateway to the town had been "transformed".

The area of the town of the town has seen Furness Building Society move its head office to Emlyn Hughes house in Abbey Road.

Meanwhile, work has begun to turn the old Kwik Save building by the station into a bingo hall, which is due to open in August.

Barrow will also see its rail links to Manchester improve, with more direct services to the city to be offered from the station in May.

Mr Klosinski said: "Barrow is due to see considerable change for the better.

"There are number of developments and changes to the town in the pipeline which are due to be real positives for Barrow.

"The next six months is going to see quite a dramatic change.

"It's all very positive. It is indication about all that's good that is happening."

Furness Building Society’s chief executive Chris Harrison said the move was "a massive step forward and shows that the board of directors is committed to moving forward and investing not only in the Furness’ future but also in our local community”.

The Furness Building Society Barrow branch will continue to operate from its current location in Duke Street.

The new bingo hall on Holker Street is being built by the Workington developer Graves Cumberland Ltd, which runs the Opera Bingo brand.

The hall is set to bring 25 jobs to the town.

Nick Smith, managing director for Graves Cumberland, said its three bingo halls in other parts of Cumbria were seen as community assets.

He said they were “warm, friendly and safe” and provided important social interaction for people who lived on their own.

Mr Klosinski also said it was exciting times for the south east corner of Barrow, where the new Holiday Inn is being built on Duke Street.

He also welcomed the Alfred Barrow Health Centre, which brings together a range of services offered by general practices.