PLANS for a major facelift of Barrow's market hall are due to be approved.

Barrow Market and The Forum theatre are due to benefit from £16 million of government funding with plans to create a new destination with food, shopping and experiences at its heart.

Councillors are due to vote on plans to revamp the market hall by altering the external facades of the building.

Illuminated metal entrance signs will form part of the works due to be carried out.

Members of the Westmorland and Furness Barrow area planning committee are due to vote on the plans next week.

An officer's report compiled ahead of the meeting said the renovation could provide a boost to the town centre and encourage other investment.

It said: "Overall the principle of the proposals are welcomed in raising the design quality of the host buildings, improving access and legibility and potentially acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration.

"When combined with the conversion of the former Debenhams and WH Smith buildings by BAE which will also increase footfall, the cumulative impact on the town centre should be very positive.

"The proposals are welcomed and should have a positive impact on the perception of the market hall and subject to the receipt of satisfactory amended plans should meet the ambitions of the NPPF, National Design Guide and Local Plan policy in relation to design, energy efficiency and heritage impact and it is recommended that approval be delegated to the Head of Development Management (Barrow).

"Should amended plans come forward Members will be updated at planning committee."

Under the plans, developed by design practice Optimised Environments, there would be an increase in the 'glazed area to the market and Forum entrances' and new entrance canopies introduced, among other changes, as part of the facades application.

Existing shop units that front Duke Street would be removed.

The plan would also see improvements made to the facades of the building that meet Dalton Road, Paxton Street, Stephen Street, as well as the Portland Walk entrance. 

The borough council says it wants to give the frontages of the market hall and Forum a 'bright, modern look'.