A first look at how Barrow town centre could be transformed over the coming decade has been revealed.
The plans offer an early glimpse of how the town centre could look and feel in the future, with ambitions to create a vibrant and welcoming place where more people want to live, visit, spend time and do business.
The emerging vision for Heart of Barrow includes a new theatre venue, homes, retail and commercial space, attractive public areas, improved leisure and cultural opportunities, and parking provision.
The plans are concepts rather than final designs and are intended to help people visualise what could be possible. They will continue to evolve as more detailed work takes place and, importantly, as feedback from the people who live, work and do business in Barrow is considered.
They have been shared with the community as part of a two-day public engagement programme, giving residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to explore the emerging vision, speak directly to those involved and share their views.
Feedback gathered through the events and wider engagement will help inform the next stages as the plans continue to be developed and refined.
Westmorland and Furness Council, a core partner in Team Barrow, is leading delivery of the Heart of Barrow programme, while Team Barrow recently committed an initial Β£22.9m from the Barrow Transformation Fund to support phase one of the programme.
Andrew Bennett, Interim Chief Executive of Team Barrow, said:
Some of you may be excited by what you see. Some of you may have concerns. Some of you may have challenging questions. That's absolutely okay. In fact, we welcome it.
The most valuable thing you can do is tell us what you genuinely think. What do you like? What have we missed? What needs to be improved? What would make the biggest difference to you, your family, your business, or your community?
Because ultimately, this is your town centre.
Revitalising the town centre is a crucial part of the wider 10-year plan for Barrow, helping to create a place that supports the townβs growing population and economy and gives people greater confidence in its future.
It also responds to long-held concerns and frustrations about the town centre and the desire of local people to see meaningful and lasting change.
The wider transformation will be delivered in phases over the coming decade. Working with Team Barrow, local communities and other partners, Westmorland and Furness Council will continue to develop and refine the plans as the programme progresses.
The public engagement events are running today (Friday) between 11am and 7pm, in Barrow Town Hall, and then tomorrow (Saturday) in The Bridge on Portland Walk between 10am and 3pm.
