Primark Confirms Barrow Store Rumours Are Not True
Primark has confirmed that rumours claiming a new store is coming to Barrow are not true.
Posts shared on social media suggested the fashion retailer was preparing to open inside the former Wilko unit on Duke Street. However, Primark has now responded and confirmed that it has no plans to open a Barrow store.
The announcement will disappoint local shoppers who had hoped the long-empty town centre unit had secured a major new retailer.
Rumours Spread on Social Media
Claims about Primark coming to Barrow began circulating online, with some posts identifying the former Wilko building as the location.
There had been no official announcement from Primark, the building’s owner or Westmorland and Furness Council to support the claims.
Primark’s response has now brought the speculation to an end. No opening date, planning application or recruitment campaign exists for a Barrow branch.
Residents should therefore treat any social media posts announcing the store as unconfirmed or inaccurate unless Primark makes an official announcement.
What Is Happening to the Former Wilko Store?
Wilko’s Barrow branch closed in September 2023 after the national retailer entered administration. The large unit is located at 48–52 Duke Street.
Plans to turn the building into a new entertainment venue were approved by Westmorland and Furness Council in February 2025.
The proposals were submitted by The Rack Shack, which already operates a venue in Whitehaven. They included pool and snooker tables, interactive darts, televisions showing sport and a modern bar area.
The company also outlined longer-term plans to convert the first floor into a family-focused ten-pin bowling area once the ground floor was operating successfully.
There has not yet been confirmation that the approved entertainment venue is ready to open.
Barrow Still Without a Primark
Barrow does not currently have a Primark branch. Shoppers wanting to visit one of the retailer’s physical stores must travel outside the town.
The nearest branch is at Marketgate Shopping Centre in Lancaster. Primark also operates stores in Carlisle, Blackpool and Preston.
The retailer sells affordable clothing, beauty products, homeware and accessories. It currently has more than 190 stores across the UK, but Barrow is not listed among its announced locations.
Primark says it regularly considers opportunities to expand its business. However, there are currently no confirmed plans for a store in Barrow or the former Wilko building.
