Team Barrow signs off £22.9m to kickstart town centre overhaul
Improving and creating event, market and community spaces while the wider £200m Heart of Barrow masterplan is delivered is a major element of the first phase.
Team Barrow, the partnership between Westmorland & Furness Council, BAE Systems and central government has now officially confirmed the funding package for the Heart of Barrow town centre transformation project’s first phase.
The total cost of phase one is around £35m, as outlined by Place North West in March. Heart of Barrow as a whole is expected to be a £200m, 10-year regeneration project, on which W&F Council is the delivery partner.
Of Team Barrow’s first phase funding slug – which comes from the Barrow Transformation Fund – more than half is to be spent on arts, culture and entertainment. Additional requests for Team Barrow funding are expected once the full cost of the programme has been established.
An interim programme of activities is to be rolled out to improve the town centre offer in the years building up to full completion of Heart of Barrow.
Shaped by community feedback, this will be delivered by Westmorland & Furness Council, rolling out from 2027, and is set to include:
- A large temporary event space
- A new market village to replace the existing, temporary one. The space will also provide opportunities for cultural and community activities
- Improvements to public spaces surrounding the town hall, to support festivals and events, as well as F&B and recreation provision
- Enhancements to the town hall to support cultural and community use
- A lighting and arts programme across the town centre.
Andrew Bennett, interim chief executive of Team Barrow, said: “We’re delighted to be able to share more details about the next phase of the Heart of Barrow programme and the positive impact we believe it will have on the town centre.
“This initial investment will help bring forward exciting new spaces, events and opportunities while we continue developing the longer-term vision for the area.”
Making use of existing vacant space in the town centre and sites made clear by demolition activity, these interventions will bridge the gap between now and the completion of the full scheme.
The goals for the final scheme include a new theatre, as well as new homes, retail and commercial units, open spaces, and provision for car parking. The theatre will replace the Forum, which along with the market hall is now set for the wrecking ball.
Angela Jones, strategic director of communities, place and economy at Westmorland & Furness Council, said: “Transforming a town centre takes time and it will be delivered in phases over the next decade, beginning with this initial investment.
“This is important because it means the community will start to see exciting new spaces, events and opportunities over the coming months. Alongside long-term regeneration, we’re creating a town centre that’s vibrant, welcoming and full of life.
“The funding allows us to invest in new cultural infrastructure, while also bringing new experiences to Barrow, including an intent to attract major performers to the town, and creating events that people will want to come back to time and again.
Jones continued: “Work is underway to develop a masterplan for Barrow town centre that will refine existing high-level proposals and establish a clear long-term vision.
“As the appointed delivery lead for Heart of Barrow, we are committed to working closely with Team Barrow, local communities and a future development partner – with expertise in town centre regeneration – to bring this vision to life.
“Together, we will work with local stakeholders to shape plans, attract investment and coordinate the delivery of transformational projects that support the town centre’s future success.”
Further public engagement will take place in October, providing another opportunity for people to learn more about the proposals, ask questions and share their views.
Demolition of the Forum and Market Hall will not begin before the masterplan and vision has been shared with the community for feedback.
Enabling works are due to start towards the end of this year and, subject to planning, demolition is due to start by early 2028 and construction following from there.
As well as supporting the meanwhile uses, the £22.9m investment from Team Barrow will enable the appointment of a development partner, support the continued refinement of the town centre masterplan, and advance the delivery of the land assembly strategy.
Through the acquisition and, where required, demolition of properties, the land assembly strategy will bring together key sites needed for redevelopment, Team Barrow said. This will create development ready opportunities that can attract further investment, support local businesses and help deliver the long-term vision for a vibrant and sustainable town centre.
Further investment of £10.9m from the Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling Up Fund and Town Deal cash) and £1.6m from Westmorland & Furness Council are also committed for phase one.
