BARROW residents are being invited to have their say on a £1.4m investment into a landmark town building.

Cumbria County Council is investing £1.4m to improve the Barrow Library and Archives building in Ramsden Square.

Members of the county council’s Local Committee for Barrow developed the proposals and secured the funding required to carry out the project.

To make sure the building best serves the needs and interests of the local community, the council is seeking the public’s help to shape the exciting plans for the building.

Alongside the core offer of libraries and archives, the council is investing to make the building more flexible, safer and able to provide a range of new and exciting services.

The new services will include adult education classes, an exciting new event space, and a brand new dedicated teen zone, with a separate children's area, complete with its own ship.

To help inform the initial plans, the council has already undertaken some customer research in July and following this feedback, new proposals have been developed.

As the building will provide a brand new 'one stop shop' for council services, the council is also looking for inspiration for a new name and is inviting the public to hear their thoughts and ideas.

Cllr Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “I am delighted that Barrow has been selected as the home of our first flagship customer contact building.

"As such we are making a significant investment into the Barrow Library building to make it a more flexible space from which we can provide a wide range of services and facilities.

"This investment will also help protect the future of this historic building now and for generations to come. As well as the services that customers already enjoy - such as libraries and archives - following the building refurbishment we will also be offering new services and facilities such as adult education courses, a new teen zone and a dedicated autism room.

"These changes are very exciting but we want to make sure we get them right which is why we have produced this engagement as a way for you to have your say on the changes being proposed.

"I look forward to reading all your comments soon.”

Cllr Janet Willis, Cabinet Member for Customers, Transformation and Fire and Rescue, said: We want to ensure that our plans truly reflect the needs and aspirations of the our users and the local community.

"That is why it is so important for you to have your say and tell us what you think of our plans, as well as having the opportunity to share with us your own thoughts and ideas.

"I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

To have your say on the upcoming Barrow Library plans, you can fill out the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hj6bmry.