Barrow is a town worth championing - here's why

Its independent shops, quirky eateries, incredible events and warm people make it the welcoming town it’s known for.

We’re spotlighting the array of brilliant things happening in Barrow:

The Well

The Well is a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), where support is provided by staff and volunteers with lived experience of drug and alcohol use, working across Barrow, Morecambe, and Kendal. In 2019, Barrow's Well Fed Community Grocers swung open its doors, selling healthy food, bought from wholesalers and supermarkets, at an affordable price for low-income families.

The new community shop was first announced in 2018 as a means to offer hundreds of low income families access to healthy food at a discounted price. All the money made is pumped back into the store and projects by The Well, which works with addicts.

Read more here.

Dave Higham, founder of The Well in Barrow

Brilliant Barrow projects

#BrilliantBarrow secured £25 million of funding from the Government’s Towns Fund for seven ambitious projects. Each one aims to create a bright and transformative future for the town.

The seven projects included in the scheme are; Barrow Learning Quarter, Community Wellbeing Hubs and Earnse Bay Outdoor Centre, Business and Enterprise, Brilliant Barrow Place Development, Housing Renewal, Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure, and the Marina Village.

The projects will be delivered by a number of key partnership organisations across the area over several years - with completion of all seven projects expected by 2026.

Read more here.

Hydrogen Hub plans

A ‘fantastic opportunity’ could see Barrow become home to Cumbria’s first low-carbon hydrogen hub.

The proposed £40m 35MW commercial hydrogen hub is being brought forward following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between Carlton Power and local stakeholders, comprising the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP), Barrow Borough Council (BBC), Cadent and Electricity North West (ENW).

It is thought that it will create eight-full time operational jobs created - but there might be as many as 200 construction jobs during its creation.

Carlton would like to see the Barrow Green Hydrogen hub in operation by 2025 and intends to seek financial support for the scheme from the UK Government’s Hydrogen Investment Package.

Initially, the green hydrogen produced is expected to be used for industrial processes, with scope in the future for vehicle refuelling and residential heating.

Read more here.

The Shipyard

BAE Systems owns the shipyard in Barrow. It operates one of the few shipyards in the world capable of designing and building nuclear submarines, which has constructed all but three of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines.

It employs 10,000 people, mainly in Barrow where they make a vital contribution to the economy.

With five submarines under construction, across two different programmes, the Barrow shipyard is set to maintain its position as the area's largest employer for many years to come.

To support this, there is an ongoing recruitment requirement, with vacancies across all areas of the business, while each year it also employs upwards of 300 apprentices at its Barrow site.

Piel Island welcomes a new king

Aaron Sanderson, 33, beat around 200 other applicants earlier this year to become landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island which lies half a mile off the Furness coast.

But along with pulling pints and maintaining the stunning 26-acre islet, Aaron will also inherit the 170-year-old title of the ‘King of Piel Island’.

And following his official coronation, expected in September, he’ll also have the enviable power to ‘knight’ those who’ve benefitted the island as he sees fit.

The fort was built by Furness Abbey monks, who established a foothold on the island in the 12th century. But now campers can pitch a tent on the island for £5 per night.

Read more here.

Salthouse Mills development plans

Between 100 and 150 new homes could be constructed on a derelict patch of land in Barrow by the end of 2024 – marking the first phase of an ambitious project to transform the site.

London-based property company Hiltongrove is moving forward with plans which would see up to 700 residential units built on the former Salthouse Mills site by 2032.

The company has also earmarked up to 7,000 sq metres of the land to the south-east of Salthouse Road for 'mixed commercial uses' such as dining and leisure.

Read more here.

Barrow AFC and Barrow Raiders

Barrow’s local sports teams unite the town. Their exciting matches and outstanding players are crowd favourites among Barrovians who follow sport in the area. Most recently, Barrow AFC’s promotion to the English Football League was a milestone for the club and fans. It was the first time they have played in the fourth tier of English Football since being voted out of the league in 1972, despite finishing third from bottom.

Furness Abbey

The historic heritage from 500 years ago still stands in the heart of Barrow.

The impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England, including much of the east end and west tower of the church, the ornately decorated chapter house and the cloister buildings still welcomes visitors from near and far all year round.

Barrow's array of events

From soapbox races to walking with dinosaurs, Barrow town centre is transformed into immersive experiences which bring in crowds of people to the town.

Eddie the Eagle visited the town to open the soapbox races in 2019 and 2021 to delight onlookers with entertaining action.

Read more here.

And residents were transported back to prehistoric times earlier this year as dinosaurs roamed Dalton Road as part of a Barrow BID event.

The town's array of festivals are also events which light up the town. Fudstock, Festival of Transport, Coast Road Festival, Barrow Pitch Up Festival are just some of the big names which delight crowds every summer.

Barrow Indoor Market hall

With around 60 independent trader’s stalls, Barrow Indoor Market is one of the largest markets in Cumbria.

In June 2021 the market hall celebrated 50 golden years of trade and to celebrate the big anniversary they had live performances from talented songsmiths, competitions and DJ sets, which brought the community together.

An ambitious £17.5m scheme to transform Barrow Market Hall began earlier this summer. New bays for stallholders, a food hall and activity areas are to be added during a project financed by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. As part of the project, the exterior of the market will be given a new look, and a shared entrance will be created between the market and The Forum theatre in Duke Street.

The market square is also set to be improved – to become an 'exciting, flexible space for a range of events and activities' – courtesy of the Brilliant Barrow project, behind which is money from the Government's Towns Fund.

Read more here.

South Walney Nature Reserve

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this island reserve is a fantastic place for bird watching and is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.

Grey seals can be seen at high tide year round at their only haul-out location in Cumbria.

Furness General Hospital and NHS staff

At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Barrow was among the highest in the country for coronavirus rates - partly down to its strong testing regimes. There are 1,671 nurses and health visitors working for the trust and 597 doctors saving lives every day which make Barrow a place to be proud of.

Community Spirit

Barrow is an area brimming with community spirit from residents and local businesses. The response to the Covid pandemic highlighted the resilience of the community and its ability to come together in moments of need. The countless charity events and community fundraisers are testament to the kindness and generosity of the people in Barrow.