A BARROW business owner has welcomed the extra funding being brought to Barrow as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zones project.

Phill Simpson, owner of The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel in Abbey Road, said he hopes this injection of funding will ‘reinvigorate the town centre.’

It was announced on Saturday that Barrow will be one of 69 High Street Heritage Action Zones to receive a share of £95 million.

The selected projects will now work with Historic England to develop plans to revive their high street over a four year programme.

Working with local councils and communities, Historic England will deliver physical improvements and cultural activities to regenerate these high streets and restore local historic character.

The initiative will be funded by combining £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund with £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Street Fund.

Some £3 million will be provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a cultural programme to engage people in the life and history of their high streets.

Through the programme, councils, businesses and community groups will be able to access expert advice and investment to bring historic buildings back to life.

Disused or underused buildings will be transformed into creative spaces, offices, shops and housing.

It is hoped this revival will become the catalyst for wider regeneration, with heritage and local character at its heart.

Mr Simpson said: "This is something which is definitely needed in Barrow.

"Hopefully this money will reinvigorate the town centre and bring new shops to the area.

"If this funding is able to replicate the success of Abbey Road with Town Heritage funding, that would be fantastic news.

"It would be nice to smarten up the area.

"Also to see some new restaurants and bars there, Barrow has space for well run venues and I know BAE are keen to see the town centre improve.

"We need to know exactly how much money is available and I would like to see the BID involved."