It is being called a once in a generation opportunity, the chance to make significant investment in Barrow to build a bright future. Sarah French reports.

The town laid out its ambitions in #BrilliantBarrow, the title given to its bid to the Government’s Towns Fund with development plans under the themes of regeneration, skills and enterprise, and infrastructure and connectivity. It worked, with Barrow becoming one of the first towns to secure £25 million from the fund.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, describes the successful bid as “a pivotal moment for our borough and all those who live and work here”. She adds: “The funding will ensure we are able to move forward into an exciting future through the launch of the innovative new projects identified through #BrilliantBarrow. These projects have the potential to generate long term benefits for our communities through opportunities in further and higher education, regeneration and economic prosperity.”

Barrow Market Hall

Barrow Market Hall

Steve Cole, chief infrastructure officer at BAE Systems who chairs the Town Deal Board, says it is a huge boost for Barrow. “An enormous amount of work went into developing these proposals and engaging with the people of Barrow to make sure their voices were heard,” he adds.

Plans are now being drawn up for seven projects to transform the town and help it thrive as an attractive place to live, work and visit.

In business and education the plans include a programme of business support for residents, entrepreneurs and SMEs to set up new enterprises. The University of Cumbria’s plans for a Barrow campus will offer better access to higher education with local opportunities to study for a university degree. The university has signed a partnership agreement with Lancaster University to support the project and will work closely with businesses, including BAE Systems, and with Furness College.

Barrow town centre (credit Cumbria Tourism)

Barrow town centre (credit Cumbria Tourism)

The Towns Fund money will allow the construction of a new campus building in Barrow, which is expected to be completed by 2024.

Sam Plum, chief executive of Barrow Borough Council, says: “This is an exciting step towards the realisation of one of our long-held ambitions for Barrow; to increase lifelong opportunities for residents and young people and for businesses across the area to benefit from high calibre graduates with the skills they need to continue to thrive and evolve. The benefits of offering tailored higher education courses and programmes from a university campus right here in our borough will be felt widely for generations to come.”

Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, adds: “This is excellent news for Barrow, providing a new higher education facility that will ensure that Barrow and Cumbria’s young people have access to a high quality educational offer that develops the skills and competence needed by our economy and businesses.

“Historically, our 18 to 24-year-olds have been the group most likely to leave the county and this new facility will help make sure that our young people have the choice to stay here to finish their education and build their career. The University of Cumbria’s partnership with Lancaster University provides a perfect combination of research and teaching expertise.”

Seals off South End (credit Barrow Borough Council)

Seals off South End (credit Barrow Borough Council)

The fund will also support a network of community hubs, including a new outdoor centre at Earnse Bay; the development of events and performance spaces will support wellbeing and bring in visitors, as will new cycling and walking infrastructure to allow Barrow to become an active travel town.

A programme of housing renewal is part of the plan along with preparations to get Barrow’s Marina Village underway.

They are fresh opportunities for a town that has suffered economic hardship but those at the forefront of its redevelopment are confident it has much to offer.

Barrow is surrounded by sea on three sides and is ranked number one in England for landscapes, coasts and wildlife. There are 60km of stunning coastline with beaches, including Sandscale Haws, where the dunes are home to rare natterjack toads. South Walney Nature Reserve is bird watching heaven with over 250 bird species recorded throughout the year.

The Dock Museum, Barrow (credit Cumbria Tourism)

The Dock Museum, Barrow (credit Cumbria Tourism)

There is heritage too with the ruined Furness Abbey, or visitors can take the ferry to Piel Island and stroll around the ruins of the castle. The island also has its very own king and the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.

The area can be explored by bike along the nationally recognised Bay Cycleway that links an 81-mile route from Walney Island to Glasson.

In further grant funding, the town has received investment of £1.1 million from Historic England to revitalise Duke Street, a key street in the town centre. It is one of only 14 historic high streets across the North West to benefit from the award, which will be used to launch the Re:discover Barrow Project. This will administer a grants scheme to fund improvements to properties and enhance public spaces. There are also plans to deliver cultural activities and events to celebrate the area’s heritage as part of the project.

The Bay Cycleway (credit Cumbria Tourism)

The Bay Cycleway (credit Cumbria Tourism)

At the end of last year the future of one much loved town centre building was secured when Cumbria

County Council agreed to transfer the former Centenary Day Centre, Abbey Road, from public ownership to local charity Barrow Domestic Appliances (BDA). The charity specialises in the re-use and recycling of domestic appliances for the local community, carrying out much of its work in deprived areas and assisting people with disabilities and those living in vulnerable situations.

BDA plans to invest in the building to provide new services that will improve the recycling of electrical and white goods, as well as offering local people better access to recycled goods and recycling services, and providing employment, training and volunteering opportunities.

Walney Island (credit Cumbria Tourism)

Walney Island (credit Cumbria Tourism)

Paul Fitzpatrick, CEO of Barrow Domestic Appliances, says: “This is brilliant news for our charity, and for the local community. We have worked hard to secure new premises and we’re delighted to have successfully secured this transfer. The new base will help us to expand our offers and services in a more accessible location.”

In other areas the town has been less successful, with an application to the Future High Streets Fund for its famous market hall being turned down. Nevertheless, the market has been freshened up to welcome back traders and customers.

“The market hall has had a lick of paint, which has brightened up the whole of the market and added a splash of colour too. Some traders have moved stalls in lockdown and others have expanded. There is still a lot of faith in the market hall,” says Jacqui Armstrong, assistant supervisor. This year the market turns 50 and celebrations are being planned to mark the anniversary, possibly with a 1970s theme.

Barrow Bid’s Super Soapbox Challenge in the town centre (credit Lindsey Dickings Film and Photography)

Barrow Bid’s Super Soapbox Challenge in the town centre (credit Lindsey Dickings Film and Photography)

Over the summer months, the borough council is planning a programme of events including a Festival of Colour, Furness Pride, the Super Soapbox Challenge and family activities at the Dock Museum.

Meanwhile, several organisations are involved in boosting Barrow’s cultural activity to put it on the map as a cultural destination.

Barra Culture is working with individuals, groups and communities across the borough to discover creative opportunities and develop new projects with local people where they live. Described as a “once-in-a-generation cultural programme”, it received £1.93m from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme in November 2019, an initiative to get local people involved in programming their own cultural events.

Based at the Nan Tait Centre, in Abbey Road, Barra Culture comprises lead partner Women’s Community Matters, Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council Library and Archives, Brathay Trust and Barrow Arts Group, Art Gene, Full of Noises, Signal Film and Media and Theatre Factory.

Windsurfers off South Walney (credit Barrow Borough Council)

Windsurfers off South Walney (credit Barrow Borough Council)

Director Daniel Tyler-Mctighe says the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted more than ever the importance of arts and culture in people’s lives.

One of Barra Culture’s projects, Boosting Barrow’s Creativity, aims to encourage communities to co-create new work and to support people to develop their skills and confidence in accessing and developing creative and cultural activities.

Daniel says: “Our definition of creative and cultural activity is really broad; you can try out a new craft skill, set up a choir, start a garden gallery with your neighbours, produce a set of how-to guides and virtual workshops, create a photography exhibition online or a creative writing and storytelling group - all the ideas come from you.

“What is important to us is that you are involved in the design and delivery of the project and that it reaches people who may not normally have this kind of creative opportunity.”

Barra Culture can offer advice on how to get projects started, connect people, help to promote activity and has small grants for new project ideas. For more information on Barra Culture, contact Anna on 07871 602 403 or at anna@barraculture.org.uk

For more on the successful #BrilliantBarrow Towns Fund bid, visit brilliantbarrow.org.uk