Councillors have agreed the next steps in a multi-million pound programme to transform Barrow town centre.
Members of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet have approved an Outline Business Case for Phase 1 of the Heart of Barrow project.
Westmorland and Furness Council is leading on the Heart of Barrow project, working on behalf of the wider Team Barrow programme – a partnership between the council, BAE Systems and national Government.
Phase 1 of Heart of Barrow is for ‘enabling’ works, including meanwhile plans and activities to support the town centre economy and to help cultural organisations and businesses in the short-to-medium term while the long-term vision is developed, as well as work to assemble the land needed for the transformational redevelopment that would follow during the second phase.
This will include the site of the Forum and indoor market hall, after Cabinet also agreed proposals to demolish the buildings.
Cabinet received a report that explained both buildings are in a poor condition and that repair and renovation would be extremely costly and would not fully remove the issue of asbestos contamination. The report concluded the only viable long-term solution was to demolish the buildings and instead look towards using the site as part of the wider regeneration of the town centre.
The £35 million funding for the Phase 1 works will now be subject to confirmation by the Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Team Barrow Delivery Board.
A number of residents attended the Cabinet meeting at Barrow Town Hall (17 March) to ask questions. Many of the questions referred to the importance of replacing the Forum with another arts and cultural venue as part of the longer-term redevelopment.
In response, Councillor Helen Chaffey, the council’s Cabinet member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, reassured that Cabinet shared their views, saying: “Speaking on behalf of myself and my Cabinet colleagues, we absolutely believe that Barrow and its surrounding communities deserve a thriving theatre and arts venue.’’
Councillor Chaffey added that it wasn’t possible to give an absolute ‘commitment’ to a replacement venue because it wasn’t in the council’s gift to do so at this stage.
She explained: “Heart of Barrow is a Team Barrow project.
“Whilst we are a partner in Team Barrow, as a standalone council, we can’t guarantee a replacement facility because we simply don’t have the funding ourselves to make this a reality.
“Phase 2 will see the long-term plans developed with and alongside the local community and we would like to see a new venue included in those plans, but ultimately that would also be subject to Team Barrow approval and funding.
“However, we are committed to ensuring that culture is at the heart of the town centre regeneration and as Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, along with the local MP, I will continue to campaign for a replacement facility to be part of the longer-term vision.’’
The ‘meanwhile’ proposals to support the town centre during the pre-construction and construction phases of Heart of Barrow include introducing a lively new Market Village, a flexible temporary venue, improved facilities and performance spaces in the town hall and a co-ordinated programme of cultural activities and events.
The meanwhile plans have been shaped by feedback from community and stakeholder engagement and would build on some early improvements already under way in the town centre.
The council has worked alongside other Team Barrow partners on activities including ‘deep cleaning’ across key streets, community litter-picks and planting, while new town centre CCTV cameras are intended to be installed by the end of March.
Councillor Tony Callister, Chair of Furness Locality Board, said: “These are significant decisions and it was clear from number of people who attended the Cabinet meeting and asked questions that the community cares passionately about arts and cultural provision in the town.
“It was reassuring to hear Cabinet members support the view that Barrow deserves a replacement theatre, but it’s clear there’s lots of work to do before that could become a reality as part of the whole town centre transformation.
“The community must continue to be involved in this process if we are to really realise the huge potential of the Team Barrow funding.’’
Full reports on both the Heart of Barrow OBC and Forum demolition contained in the Cabinet report