Concerns Raised Over Pace and Priorities of Barrow Rising Plans
Questions are being raised about the pace, priorities and local impact of the £200 million Barrow Rising programme.
Mike Starkie, the Conservative candidate for Mayor of Cumbria, has claimed that the plans have taken too long to gather momentum. He also questioned whether money intended to transform Barrow is being used to cover work that should already fall under normal council responsibilities.
The criticism comes as major decisions are made about the future of Barrow town centre, including plans to demolish the Forum and Market Hall.
What Are Team Barrow and Barrow Rising?
Team Barrow is a partnership involving the Government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems.
It was formed to help Barrow manage the growth linked to the submarine programme while improving the town for existing residents. More than £200 million of government investment is supporting a ten-year plan covering:
- housing
- transport and connections
- education and skills
- health and wellbeing
- the local economy
- Barrow town centre
Barrow Rising is the public name used to bring these projects and updates together.
The scale of the funding offers a rare opportunity to improve Barrow. However, people will ultimately judge the programme by the changes they see in their streets, services and daily lives.
“Barrow Rising Has Taken Too Long”
Mr Starkie welcomed the recent investment linked to Barrow’s submarine industry but said the wider regeneration programme had been slow to gain momentum.
He blamed bureaucracy, divided decision-making and a lack of strategic coordination for delaying progress.
Mr Starkie said: “Barrow Rising has taken too long to gather momentum. That has understandably frustrated many local people.”
He also claimed there was a growing perception that transformation funding was being used to make up for problems with everyday council services and assets.
“Investment intended to transform the economy should not become a substitute for maintaining council assets or delivering basic public services,” he added.
These comments are political criticism from a candidate seeking to become Cumbria’s first elected mayor. However, they reflect wider questions being asked locally about how quickly the investment is being turned into visible improvements.
Forum Plans Raise Questions Over Spending
One of the largest and most controversial projects is the Heart of Barrow plan, which includes the Forum and Market Hall site.
Westmorland and Furness Council approved £35.36 million for the first phase in March 2026. This includes demolition and site clearance, initial land purchases, temporary town-centre activities and professional fees needed to find a development partner.
Of that total, £22.89 million is expected to come from the Barrow Transformation Fund. A further £10.91 million will come from existing regeneration funding, with £1.56 million from council capital receipts.
A separate design and demolition contract was approved at a value of around £6.68 million, including VAT.
The concern for many residents is that a considerable amount could be spent clearing and preparing the site before the final replacement has been designed or guaranteed.
Council documents show that a development partner may not be appointed until 2027 or 2028. The detailed business case for the second phase is also due later in the process.
This leaves a difficult question: how long could Barrow be without a permanent theatre, market and cultural venue?
No Firm Guarantee of a Like-for-Like Forum Replacement
The Forum served Barrow for 36 years before its closure. Local arts groups, performers and residents have called for a replacement with at least the same capacity and facilities.
During a council meeting, resident and arts advocate Maija Hoggarth said people were tired of hearing about millions being invested while seeing limited practical change.
Councillor David Cassidy also asked whether a replacement venue could be guaranteed before demolition began.
The council said Barrow deserved a thriving theatre and arts venue. However, it could not provide a firm guarantee because Heart of Barrow is a Team Barrow project and the council cannot fund a replacement alone.
Council leaders have argued that the Market Hall and Forum buildings are in poor condition. Reported problems include water entering the buildings, ageing electrical and mechanical systems, structural deterioration and asbestos risks.
Repairing the existing buildings was also expected to cost tens of millions of pounds. However, the lack of a confirmed replacement continues to cause unease.
Will Local People See Positive Results?
Some Team Barrow funding has already been directed towards local organisations and services.
A £2.8 million package is being distributed to 12 voluntary and community organisations over four years. Groups receiving support include Women’s Community Matters, Barrow Citizens Advice, Mind in Furness, Dropzone Youth Projects and Age UK South Cumbria.
Another £400,000 has been provided for the People Helping People Fund, while Barrow Resolve CIC received a separate £100,000 grant.
Plans have also been announced for investment in education, employment support, healthcare and new homes. These could produce clear benefits for residents if they are delivered successfully.
However, announcements and funding awards are only the beginning. To judge whether Barrow Rising is working, residents need clear information about:
- how much has been committed and spent
- when each project will be completed
- which organisations are responsible for delivery
- how many local people have benefited
- whether projects are running on time and within budget
- what will replace important facilities that are lost
A Need for Greater Transparency and Faster Delivery
A ten-year transformation cannot happen overnight. Large housing, transport and town-centre projects require planning, consultation and specialist work.
Moving too quickly could lead to poor decisions and wasted money. At the same time, long delays risk weakening public confidence, particularly when familiar facilities close before their replacements are confirmed.
Team Barrow has described the programme as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. That description brings equally large expectations.
For local people, success will not be measured by the amount of money announced. It will be measured by better homes, stronger services, improved roads, more opportunities and a town centre that people genuinely want to use.
Regular public spending updates, firm delivery dates and measurable results would help residents understand where the money is going and whether Barrow Rising is creating lasting improvements.
