BARROW BID has made a real difference since coming onto the high street scene.

Some BID groups elsewhere are content to sit back, levy the funds but ultimately work in isolation from the traders and shoppers they are supposed to represent.

Barrow’s BID group has shown it is not afraid of rolling up its sleeves, coming up with ideas and trying to get things done.

Crucially, they tend to ask before doing, which is always a good way of getting people onside.

BID groups do not have endless money and resources, and cannot solve every problem of the high street.

Declining retail sales, online shopping and the ease of retail park shopping has affected every town from Barrow’s Dalton Road to London’s Oxford Street.

But many older readers will remember that late-night shopping used to be a festive feature of the town centre with places like Cavendish Street getting involved.

Not every shop participated, but many did, and the convenience of being able to browse a little longer after a working day was always welcomed.

But the BID can only do so much.

Getting up town for a shop is our own responsibility.

Let’s make a special effort to spend locally and support those retailers who are backing Barrow.