New aparthotel opens in Barrow close to BAE Systems shipyard
A new aparthotel has opened in Barrow, offering accommodation aimed at business travellers, contractors and visitors to the Lake District.
Parade House is the fourth St David Aparthotels property to open in the town since January 2025.
The new site includes eight self-contained studio apartments and is based close to the BAE Systems shipyard.
8 studio apartments created
Each apartment at Parade House includes its own kitchenette and bathroom. Giving guests more independence than a standard hotel room.
The rooms also offer modern furnishings, work areas and facilities suited to both short visits and longer stays.
St David Aparthotels specialises in converting character buildings into serviced accommodation. Its properties commonly use remote check-in and keyless entry, supported by a local management and housekeeping team.
The company officially opened Parade House on July 6. It joins The Old Lyric Hall, The Old Brewery and The Terrace in its growing Barrow portfolio.
Location aimed at BAE workers and visitors
The new accommodation is expected to appeal to people working at BAE Systems and other employers in the area.
Barrow regularly attracts contractors and business travellers linked to the shipyard and its supply chain. Some guests may need accommodation for several weeks or months rather than a short hotel stay.
Aparthotels can offer a more flexible option because rooms include cooking facilities and space to work. Guests can live more independently while still receiving services such as housekeeping.
Parade House is also being promoted as a base for people exploring Barrow, Furness and the wider Lake District.
Fourth opening in around 18 months
St David Aparthotels opened its first Barrow property, The Old Lyric Hall, in January 2025.
The company later added The Old Brewery and The Terrace before opening Parade House this month.
The Old Lyric Hall was created from a historic former music and sports hall on Clifford Street. The building now contains studio apartments with kitchenettes, private bathrooms and modern facilities.
It has since been shortlisted for both the Shortyz Awards and the Serviced Apartment Awards. The company said the property was recognised alongside accommodation providers from destinations including London, Edinburgh, Porto and Lausanne.
The Old Brewery entered its soft-launch period during 2025. St David Aparthotels later reported occupancy of 85 per cent during the early launch period.
Demand for longer stays in Barrow
The company said it expanded into Barrow after identifying a lack of high-quality apartment-style accommodation in the town.
Regional manager John Edwards said strong reviews and feedback from guests had supported the decision to continue growing locally.
St David Aparthotels says its typical developments contain between 10 and 20 studio or one-bedroom apartments. They are aimed at the upper end of the market and designed for short or extended stays. Parade House is smaller, with eight studios.
The company’s accommodation is also designed around remote access. Guests check in without using a traditional reception desk and enter their apartments through a keyless system.
Further growth planned outside Barrow
Although Barrow has been an important location for the company’s early growth, St David Aparthotels is also expanding into other parts of England.
The business has acquired Gillygate House in York, with plans to turn the building into a luxury aparthotel.
It has also acquired the Ascot House Hotel in Harrogate. The property is expected to be converted into design-led accommodation aimed at the town’s year-round visitor market.
For now, Parade House takes the company’s Barrow collection to four sites, adding further accommodation within easy reach of the town centre and BAE Systems.
