ASBESTOS has been discovered in Barrow Market Hall ahead of a major refurbishment.

The potentially dangerous substance was identified in the building and the neighbouring Forum theatre following a recent survey and needs to be removed ahead of a £17.5 million project to revitalise the market.

Westmorland and Furness Council, which runs Barrow Market, has blocked access to areas where the material has been found.

The council says there is no risk to the public or market traders.

It is searching for a contractor to remove the asbestos.

A tender said: "The Market Hall is under preparation of a major refurbishment programme which is due to commence in summer 2024.

"A recent [refurbishment and development] survey has identified a number of areas in which asbestos contaminating materials (ACMs) are present.

"The council has taken steps to prohibit access to these areas until further action is taken to minimise the risk to all personnel at the Market Hall.

"This scheme is for the removal of identified areas of asbestos to the Market Hall and the Forum, detailed in the specification."

A major refurbishment of the market and Forum is due to take place next year after the Government awarded cash for the project under the Levelling Up Fund.

A new destination with food, shopping and experiences at its heart is due to be created under the plans.

A Westmorland and Furness Council spokesperson, said: “We are currently tendering to find a suitable contractor to help us remove asbestos from Barrow Market as part of the wider regeneration works.

“There is no risk to the public or traders.

"This is part of the scheduled works, but the asbestos does need to be removed in order to continue with the modernisation of the building.

“The work is part of a £17.5 million Levelling Up Fund scheme to reinvigorate the building and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre, bringing the community together and boosting the local economy.”

According to the contract tender, the asbestos removal is estimated to start in January.