Performers, their families and audiences are being urged to take part in a gathering outside The Forum in Barrow this weekend to call on councillors to ensure a replacement for the popular venue is included in town centre regeneration plans.
Theatre companies, performance academies and dance schools have called on supporters to take part in a peaceful gathering outside The Forum tomorrow, Saturday March 7, at 2pm.
The groups are lobbying Westmorland and Furness Council to guarantee that a replacement to The Forum to at least the same standard will be at the heart of any future plans for the town centre.
Last month the authority was criticised for the way in which it gave stall holders on the town’s market short notice to leave the structure after inspectors said it was becoming increasingly dangerous.
In 2023, the council embarked on a £17.5m revamp of the market hall but a year later discovered asbestos and an extra £6m was earmarked to pay for removal.
Last month the council suspended regeneration plans and suggested both The Forum and market hall buildings be demolished.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet will discuss the plans later this month.
But with no concrete plans for a performance venue, members of Barrow’s cultural community are calling for a guarantee that it will be included in future developments.
