People across Barrow are being urged take part in a second phase of consultation on Barrow town centre’s regeneration plans.
Barrow’s Market Hall is the centre of a once-in-a-lifetime £17.5 million Levelling Up Fund scheme to transform the building and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre, bringing the community together and boosting the local economy.
The project would create a new destination with food, shopping and experiences with an accessible entrance and foyer into The Forum and improvements to the public realm in Duke Street.
A community hub will also be created in The Forum as part of the #BrilliantBarrow Town Deal along with a pocket park and space for outdoor events.
Now, a second phase of consultation is set to begin, offering people the chance to help shape plans for the interior of the market building with anyone taking part able to share ideas about the kind of goods, food and drink stalls they would like to see on offer in the future as well as spaces for leisure activities.
The consultation is taking place from Monday 27 February to Monday 13 March – and will include the chance to speak to those involved in the project, a survey and further workshop sessions.
Councillor Lee Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Council and its Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “We had an excellent response to the first consultation before Christmas with many people attending drop in sessions and completing the survey.
“This project brings such opportunity and promise to our town centre and is a chance to boost our local traders and businesses while providing a great experience for residents and visitors.
“The next stage of consultation is now upon us. Please take the opportunity to share your views on what you would like to see on offer in the market as part of its transformation.”
Manchester-based Buttress Architects, working with designers OPEN and engineers WSP, were selected during a competitive tender process to complete the design element of the scheme.
The results of a first public consultation in December, which included drop in events, online and paper surveys as well as workshops with stakeholder groups, found 81 per cent of respondents supported the objectives of the scheme.
In addition, 74 per cent were in favour of proposals to transform Barrow Market and its outside space to create a modern, light and attractive venue.
A planning application is on track to be submitted in March 2023. It is anticipated that work could be underway by this summer.
