SPECIAL celebrations are being held for a popular shopping hall loved by many.

Traders and visitors are in celebratory mood this month as they proudly commemorate 50 golden years at Barrow Market Hall.

It is one of the largest markets in Cumbria and home to around 60 independent trader stalls.

Pauline McCabe and her team of Market Makers have had their stall for just over five years and run a free craft group every Friday.

Pauline said: “It’s nice being back and hearing noise again. It’s been very quiet but today is a good celebration where we’ve done a few things for the display.

“We’ve made some 1970s-themed items to sell inspired from books in the 70s my mum had, like a loo roll holder.

“In the craft group we always try and do things for charity ­— any profit today will be going to Mind in Furness charity.

“We also have a raffle this Saturday which will be drawn around 3.30pm to raise money for the charity, too.”

Songsmiths Gary Bridgens and Rachel Ashton ­— better known as Dick & Sid ­— entertained Barrow Market Hall with their socially distanced performance of songs, inviting the public to contribute in bespoke songs to celebrate the golden year.

Harmonising, the pair said: “We feel fine, especially when we are here in Barrow Market on a happy day.

“We make songs up for people and they can pop along to our stall, they might have an occasion, they might want to remember something or might want to have a little dance and we knock songs up just like that.

Stall owner of Tuk’s Thai foods, Tuk Tarnprasant, who has had her stall for 16 years said: “I am so happy here in the market, everyone is really nice, and I hope I make it to the 100 year celebrations but today I am having lots of fun.”

Keep up to date with the rest of the celebrations at https://www.facebook.com/BarrowMarketOfficial