More cash needed for £17.5m Barrow Market Hall overhaul

Westmorland and Furness Council is looking to increase the budget for the Levelling Up Fund project by £6m as enabling work costs rise.

The local authority’s cabinet has decided to borrow the money, which it deems necessary to successfully remove all the asbestos at Barrow Market Hall, finish its structural repairs, and relocate the market traders. The full council will have the final say on the matter during a meeting in January.

A budget increase was deemed necessary after surveys showed considerable asbestos contamination in the ceiling void of the building, drainage ducts, and column casings. There has also been water damage discovered and that existing steelwork will need more intensive repairs than originally anticipated.

This will require heavy machinery to be brought. Subsequent vibrations from the work will have a knock-on effect as well – the market shares a structure with The Forum, an arts and entertainment venue. While the asbestos at the Forum is safely contained, the vibrations caused by work on the market hall could change this.

Accordingly, Westmorland and Furness Council has chosen to shut down the Forum when the work begins at the end of March 2025. It is anticipated that making these repairs will take two years.

“The temporary closure of The Forum is hugely regrettable and will clearly impact on shows and events planned for next year and beyond,” said Cllr Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities at Westmorland and Furnes Council.

“I am really sorry this has to be done and would like to apologise to everyone who will be inconvenienced by the closure.”

Repairs to Barrow Market Hall are just one aspect of a wider project – one that would use a refreshed market building to revitalise the town centre.

The full work includes the creation of an accessible entrance to both the market and The Forum. The scheme also includes promises to modernise the market’s interior, refresh its exterior, make a series of public realm improvements, create a pocket park, and build a community hub nearby.

OP-EN is the masterplanner for the project, with Buttress Architects and WSP on board to assist.

The £6m requested by the cabinet would be in addition to the £16m awarded through the now-defunct Barrow-in-Furness Council’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid, which was matched with £1.5m from that local authority before it was absorbed by Westmorland and Furness Council.

If the council approves the funding increase, the project’s budget will grow from £17.5m to £23.5m.