BARROW town centre narrowly missed out on being named as having the best up-and-coming high street in the UK, after battling it out with high streets up and down the country.

The town was one of 28 shortlisted for the Great British High Street’s Rising Star High Street award, which celebrates communities who are transforming for the future.

The Great British High Street Awards shares examples of high streets overcoming the challenges of a changing trading environment.

The judges’ assessment makes up for 80 per cent of the score with 20 per cent determined by a public vote.

Last August Paul Hodgson, vice chairman of Barrow’s Business Improvement District, along with BID manager Colin Garnett, took judges Amy Gura and Robert Kuehl on a tour of Barrow.

The judges heard of the incredible success of the Soapbox Challenge - set to return this year, and the efforts by the BID to signpost shoppers to key areas such as Scott Street.

The judges were also shown some of the traders who have benefited from the shopfront grant scheme.

At an awards ceremony yesterday Mr Garnett was disappointed to discover Barrow had not been selected as the winner.

However, he said simply being shortlisted was an award in itself, and he praised the other high streets.

He said: “We are at the very start of our journey and transformation. Just to be in that final is a great achievement if you look at where we were two years ago.

“We’ve come a long way.”