AN AMBITIOUS project of improvements to Barrow town centre will 'transform' its look and character, a council officer has said. 

David Haughian was commenting as part of an update on the progress of the changes that are being backed by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. 

The scheme is to result in a 'revitalised' market hall that will feature a play area for children, a 'pocket park' in Stephen Street, a 'town centre community hub area' at The Forum, and 'better transport infrastructure and improvements to the public realm'.

"The proposal responds to the Government’s request to deliver impactful projects that regenerate the town centre, provide investment in cultural facilities and upgrade local transport infrastructure," says Mr Haughian, capital programme manager, in a report produced ahead of a meeting of the borough council's executive committee on Wednesday.

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He says the work will provide the 'catalyst to increase footfall and deliver lasting change'.

The report outlines that demolition of a redundant unit to the rear of the market hall has now been completed.

It says that further demolition of redundant properties in Dalton Road – numbers 77-79, 81 and 83 – and of the ginnel between Dalton Road and Portland Walk is to commence early in 2023.

Mr Haughian's report says a 'detailed review' of the cost of the scheme has been undertaken 'to account for recent inflationary price increases'.

"The project team are now updating the scheme layout as appropriate to reflect these increases, whilst ensuring that the original project outcomes and outputs are successfully achieved," it says.

Mr Haughian states that council officers have been 'developing a strategy' to 'enable tenants to continue to operate successfully during the market upgrade'.

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"All tenants who will occupy a stall within the upgraded market hall are being transitioned onto a single standard lease agreement, which will be fit for purpose for the upgraded market," he says.

"A formal application process will follow in the coming months to allow existing tenants to register their interest in becoming tenants within the upgraded facilities."

The current timeline of the project is to see a planning application submitted in spring of next year with works completed by March 2025.