CALLS have been made to reinvent the high street as many non-essential shops reopen for the first time today since lockdown was imposed.

As several national retailers have shut up on shops in Barrow’s high street and others are to follow, now is the time to transform the high street and back the town’s independent firms, community leaders say - and The Mail is right behind this with our campaign to Support Independent and Family Business.

Major chains River Island, Topshop and Thornton’s have all left Portland Walk, while plans have been submitted to turn an empty shop on the street into flats.

Question marks have also hung over the future of two other chain stores on Portland Walk, with Debenhams and New Look closing stores across the UK - although both will reopen in Barrow today.

Carphone Warehouse, another national retailer with a shop in Barrow announced earlier in the year that it would close every one of its standalone stores across the country.

But Colin Garnett, manager of Barrow’s Business Improvement District (BID), remains upbeat for the future.

“Even though Barrow is losing some high street chains, there does appear to be a confidence in Barrow town centre that things will improve," said Mr Garnett.

“We have seen several new businesses open in the town and premises like the old Warren James and Savers units on Dalton Road are in the process of being refurbished.

“At Barrow BID we understand that the town centre needs to change, we are working with local businesses to transform the town and increase the experience for visitors, but we need local people to help.

“We need Barrovians to visit the town and use the businesses, whether they are nationals, independents, market traders or charities.

“If local people can step up and support local businesses, we will be able to create a new town centre for future generations to enjoy.”

The government has said that from today, clothes shops, toy shops, furniture shops, bookshops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets are among those premises which can reopen.

Simon Fell, the Barrow and Furness MP, said: “High streets were changing before this crisis but COVID-19 has only accelerated that.

“As we begin to reopen its crucial that people get back into towns and support our huge range of independent local stores."

Some independent traders in Barrow said they would not be reopening today and would do so later down the line.