Outdoor event space in Barrow set to open

5m-plan-to-turn-barrow-into-northern-powerhouse

An event to mark the official opening of a dedicated public events space for Barrow will take place later this month.

The amphitheatre – at The Dock Museum – has been overhauled as part of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Place Development project following a 12-week programme of work.

It features a new resin-bound surface, a pop-up power unit, lighting scheme and temporary stage as well as planted areas and trees.

Now, people are invited to a celebration launch event at the amphitheatre on Wednesday May 29 between 11am and 3pm to enjoy acts and entertainers.

Craft activities will also be provided by arts organisation BarrowFull along with free Brilliant Barrow giveaways.

The event kicks off the third Brilliant Barrow Summer of Fun – a programme of entertainment and activities which will take place across Barrow’s town centre over the coming months.

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: “The Brilliant Barrow Place Development project has already delivered two fantastic summer events programmes which have attracted tens of thousands of people to Barrow’s town centre.

“I’m absolutely delighted to see the next phase of the project completed with the amphitheatre setting able to further enhance the experience for residents and visitors.

“We haven’t had the best weather while the work to upgrade the space was underway but it is opening on time and as planned. My thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this element of the project to fruition.”

Westmorland and Furness Council is working with a range of partners to deliver the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal which secured £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in 2022.

The Place Development project which aims to help attract residents and visitors to the town centre, increasing footfall and boosting the local economy while improving the overall perception of Barrow as a great place to live, work and visit.

The celebration launch event at the amphitheatre – which will be compared by Barrow’s own Chris Barker – will begin at 11am with a performance from KS Musicals.

Steve Cole, CIO and operational improvement director at BAE Systems Maritime and Land and chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, will be joined on stage by a pupil from Brisbane Park School, along with local performers for the launch which will be marked with a confetti cannon.

The afternoon will go on to feature the Bread and Butter Theatre Company, Boom Dang, entertainer Gary Bridgens and a bubble extravaganza.

Steve said: “Brilliant Barrow is about delivering projects that will make a tangible difference to both the town and its communities so that it can go forward and thrive for years to come.

“What we can already see the project is making a positive in so many ways by successfully drawing people to the town centre, increasing footfall and spend for local businesses and changing the perceptions people have of the town.

“I’m looking forward to the official launch event of the amphitheatre and hope as many people as possible enjoy the day.”