THE Mail has thrown its support behind a bid for Barrow to be granted Royal Town status.

The town's MP Simon Fell launched a campaign to get Barrow recognised for its vital role in providing 'world security.'

As part of the campaign we will:

  • Highlight the importance of Barrow on the international stage
  • Showcase what benefits being a Royal Town could bring
  • Garner support from influential people and organisations

As the campaign gathers momentum, the list of supporters now includes former Lord Lieutenant, BAE, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cando FM, the Rotary Club, as well as local arts and community groups. 

As the newspaper that has served Barrow since 1898, The Mail has now added its name to the growing list. 

Joy Yates, Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, said: "The Mail fully supports Mr Fell's campaign to achieve Royal status for Barrow.

"Following a rich 150-year history of shipbuilding, the people of Barrow deserve to have their role recognised for helping to provide international security and putting the town on the world stage.

"The campaign would not only be a symbol of recognition, but would also provide hope and optimism for Barrow's future.

"The town has entered a new era working with Australia and the United States to play its vital part in the AUKUS partnership to deliver the next generation of attack submarines.

"We look forward to seeing where the campaign leads and what the benefits of a Royal assent would mean for Barrow."

Mr Fell gained the backing of the leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt who said his plight was a 'good initiative'.

During Business Questions Mr Fell said that now would be the right time to receive Royal status, following Barrow’s recent celebration of 150 years of naval shipbuilding.

In the same week Mr Fell also wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to request the government's support.

Mr Fell said: "I'm so glad that the Mail are keen to support the campaign.

"Royal Town status would be a recognition of Barrow’s role in Britain’s story in the past – rolling out our railways, producing steel, and then keeping our nation and our allies safe – and acknowledging its role in the future: delivering on an international endeavor that will protect not just us, but Australia and the US too.

"Those achievements come down to one thing: the people of Furness.

"This would be a way of thanking and recognising them, and changing the perceptions of Barrow to the world too.

"My next steps are getting even more support for the initiative. We want individuals, organisations, and businesses to sign up at www.simonfell.org/royalbarrow. The more voices there are, the better the chance we have."

Barrow’s former MP John Woodcock vowed to be 'a lifelong champion' for the area after being granted the title Lord Walney by Her Late Majesty the Queen.

He said he was '100 per cent' behind the campaign. 

"The Royal Borough of Barrow not only trips off the tongue, it would be fitting recognition of the extraordinary service Barrovians perform for the nation by building our deterrent submarines," Lord Walney said.

"The people of Barrow deserve this in spades and the award would have practical benefit by helping focus minds in Whitehall on the unique importance of the town to this national endeavour and the need to ensure it is properly equipped to deliver."