THE Barrow branch of a funeral directors based in the north-west will close in June following a 'difficult decision.' 

George Hall & Son and Abbey Mount Service Chapel, on Buccleuch Street, operate under Dignity Funerals.

They have other branches in Preston, Lancaster and Morecambe, which will continue to trade. 

A spokesperson for Dignity Funerals said: "We have been honoured to serve bereaved families in Barrow and would like to thank all the clients that have entrusted us to care for them and their loved ones.

"However, we’ve taken the difficult decision to close the business on Friday 7 June.

"Prior to closing our branch in Barrow, we will ensure all our customer’s needs are met, including writing to those that have purchased a funeral plan to explain their options.

"As far as practical, when we close a branch our colleagues will be offered a similar role at another Dignity business. Where this is not possible, we will support those people with coaching, mentoring and well-being provision to help them secure alternative employment.”

Stuart Cox, head of public affairs at Dignity, told this publication after the release of the statement that it was a 'question of commercial viability' in terms of the branch in Barrow. 

"We want to focus on other areas of the country," he said. "We are just not really conducting the number of funerals there." 

George Hall & Son had to compete in Barrow with other directors such as Little and Caine, on nearby Dalkeith Street, and Barrow Funeral Care which is run by the Co-op on Roose Road.