PUB operator JD Wetherspoon has revealed when a £750,000 beer garden in Barrow is due to open.

Development work has started on the beer garden at the Furness Railway pub, which will sit on the site of a demolished building. 

The beer garden is being built on the site of derelict land left by the demolition of the former registry office next to the pub in Abbey Road.

The pub is due to close for July 23 to allow work to be completed.

The beer garden and pub is then due to open on August 2.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesman said the garden would feature a choice of seating in upholstered seating booths or under one of the two retractable canopies.

Low level planters will divide the space into a grid formation, in reflection of the streets in central Barrow.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said the development showed the company's dedication to Barrow.

“ The Furness Railway is an extremely popular pub," he said.

“Our aim is to offer our customers the best pub possible and we believe the new garden will be a welcome addition to the pub.

“The investment highlights Wetherspoon’s commitment to the pub and to Barrow itself.

“Hopefully it will act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in the town.”

A proposal for a new nine-space car park behind the beer garden was also submitted as part of plans approved by Barrow Council last year.

Planning officer Maureen Smith told councillors that proposals included plans for the beer garden to remain a non-smoking area.

She said: “I was particularly concerned about the residents adjacent and the applicants have worked very hard to try and overcome that concern.

“They have submitted a noise survey which concludes no significant impact is likely to arise.

"They’ve also made some key design amendments like changing the rear boundary in the garden from an open railing design to a solid wall design to prevent any overlooking to residents to the rear."

The pub reopened inside on May 17 as Covid restrictions relaxed.