THE owner of two delipidated former nightspots in Barrow is being forced to perform urgent repairs on the buildings.

Once a key part of the thriving nighttime scene in Barrow, The Cry and Kavanna's have been empty for several years.

Both Cornwallis Street venues have been in a state of 'deterioration' for a number of years, with the council concerned about the effect of the buildings' condition on the wider area.

A legal notice has now been served on the owner of both buildings.

It follows attempts by Barrow Council to encourage the owner to carry out repairs.  

Serving the legal notice on the owner of the two buildings, Barrow Council said: "This Notice is served by Barrow Borough Council under Section 215 of the above Act because it appears to them that the amenity of a part of their area is adversely affected by the condition of the land described below." 

The notice came into effect in February. The owner was given four months to carry out a list of repairs.

The ordered improvements include removal of the boarding from the outside of the buildings.

The council has also ordered that joinery on the outside of the buildings must be repaired and repainted.

It also ordered that plants growing on the outside and inside must be dealt with.

Several other urgent repairs have been listed by the council.

The Cry and Kavanna's were put up for sale in 2018 and are still on the market.

Both properties are on the market for £200,000.

A description said: "The former Cry Bar is a mid-terrace three storey property of brick construction which most recently operated as a licensed premises, although requires immediate cosmetic attention being in a redundant condition.

"Internally the property has been stripped back to near shell condition, featuring two narrow former trade areas on the ground floor GIA and an open plan former trade area to the first floor with servery to one end and balcony views to the floor below.

"The property offers considerable scope for alternate use, and subject to obtaining the necessary permissions, will likely be of interest to local and regional hoteliers, serviced accommodation providers, retailers, investors and developers."