Barrow MP says council’s handling of town centre plans ‘not good enough’
Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham has criticised Westmorland and Furness Council over its handling of plans to transform Barrow town centre.
The Labour MP said the council’s performance as a delivery partner had “not been good enough”. Her comments come as work continues on the major Heart of Barrow regeneration programme.
The scheme is part of Team Barrow, a partnership involving the Government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems. More than £200 million of government investment has been promised to support Barrow’s future.
MP calls for improvements
Mrs Scrogham said the council needed to improve the way it managed the town centre project.
She has raised concerns about the treatment of local businesses and the speed at which temporary facilities are being provided.
In a public statement, she said: “Westmorland and Furness Council’s performance as the delivery partner for the project to rebuild Barrow town centre has not been good enough.”
The MP has also called for the council to work more closely with traders, community groups and other people affected by the changes.
Market Hall closure caused anger
Concerns grew after Barrow Market Hall closed at short notice in February.
Traders were told to leave after surveys found serious leaks and asbestos within the building. Some businesses were given only hours to remove their stock and equipment.
Mrs Scrogham said at the time that she was “raging” about the way traders had been treated. She argued that the council should already have had a clear plan for where businesses could move.
The council said the building had reached the end of its usable life. It found that reopening the Market Hall would require expensive repairs and would not solve all the problems.
Market and Forum set for demolition
The Market Hall and The Forum are now due to be demolished as part of the Heart of Barrow programme.
Council cabinet members backed the plans in March. The first phase could receive around £35 million for demolition, land purchases and other work needed before the site can be rebuilt.
The demolition process could take around nine months. Longer-term construction is currently expected to begin in 2028 or 2029, with the wider redevelopment potentially continuing until 2035.
The council has said the two buildings are in poor condition and would be too costly to fully repair.
Calls for a replacement theatre
Mrs Scrogham has also demanded a firm promise that Barrow will receive a new theatre.
The closure of The Forum has left the town without its main cultural venue. Some shows and events have moved to other buildings, including Barrow Town Hall and The Coro in Ulverston.
The MP has said any new town centre must include a modern and permanent cultural venue.
The council has said it supports culture remaining at the heart of Barrow’s future. However, it has not given an absolute guarantee that a new theatre will be built.
Councillors have said the final decision will depend on the wider Team Barrow partnership and the funding available for the second phase.
Temporary market and event spaces planned
Plans for the period before construction include a temporary Market Village and a flexible venue for events.
The council also intends to improve performance spaces at Barrow Town Hall and organise a wider programme of cultural events.
These facilities are meant to support traders, audiences and community groups while long-term plans are developed.
However, concerns remain over how quickly the temporary spaces will open and whether they will meet the needs of businesses that have already lost their premises.
What is the Heart of Barrow project?
The Heart of Barrow scheme aims to rebuild a large section of the town centre.
Proposals include:
- New shops, businesses and community facilities
- Cultural and leisure spaces
- New homes
- Employment space
- Improvements to public areas
- Support for market traders and local organisations
Westmorland and Furness Council is leading the project on behalf of Team Barrow.
The council has described the work as a chance to create a stronger town centre which can support Barrow’s growing population and expanding workforce.
Pressure to deliver visible progress
Barrow is expected to grow as the submarine programme creates thousands of extra jobs at BAE Systems and in its supply chain.
This will increase demand for homes, shops, leisure facilities and public services.
Mrs Scrogham said the town had a major opportunity because of the level of government investment available. However, she warned that businesses and important community services could be lost if decisions took too long.
The MP is now calling for greater urgency, clearer communication and stronger support for people affected by the redevelopment.
