THE doors to the current Barrow Market will close today as a major refurbishment begins.

Traders are preparing to relocate to their new units in the mall and on the outdoor market while work is carried out.

We spoke to some of the stallholders on their last day of business in the old market hall.

David Holmes, from Harts Watch Straps and Batteries, said he was excited about moving to his new position at the top of the mall.

He said: “The new spot looks really good and it should be great once we’re all organised and have everything set up.”

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The business was founded more than 70 years ago by David’s grandfather Fred Hart.

He said: “The council have looked after us really well and work has been carried out really professionally.”

Previously called Harts Jewellers, the stall was renamed when David’s brother Mark retired a couple of years ago. David has worked on the stall for 52 years and now runs it with his wife Jackie.

David said ‘revitalisation’ and plans for refurbishment are ‘fantastic’ and will provide a ‘good venue’.

“It was inevitable,’ he said. “The market was slowly dying because people are buying online and from supermarkets that offer free parking.”

Harts will open on Monday and he hopes to stay on at the new stall for good.

Under the scheme, The Market Hall, The Forum and the urban spaces that surround it will be modernised as part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s project using £17.5m Levelling Up Fund cash.

A new destination with food, shopping and experiences at its heart is due to be created under the plans. Work is set to take place over two years.

Wendy Gunning was one of the first traders to move. The Wool Baa and Pet’s Paradise can now be found in one of the portable cabins on Dalton Road.

It has taken two weeks to move all of her stock. Wendy said it had been a lot of hard work which she hopes will pay off in the long run.

A few regulars have been able to find Wendy at her new location, which has also attracted new people who don’t normally visit the market, she said.

Wendy will officially open on Monday and hopes to set up some craft stalls outside her cabin.

“The current space needs upgrading,” she said, “once it’s finished, the new market will be a place to go, it will be wonderful when it is complete.

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“We need local people supporting local businesses, please come and see us on the outside market.”

Wendy will be joined in the outside market by Bentley’s Bedding and Sillfield Farm Butchers, who will all move again in about eight weeks’ time.

Raymond Seeds, from Sillfield Farm Butchers, wanted to make sure customers are aware of the move. He said: “People think we’ve shut, but we haven’t, we’ve just moved, come and find us on the outside market.”

The business will trade from a portable cabin outside the market for several weeks before moving to a new space in the old meat hall.

Raymond said: “Once everyone has moved, the new market will function better. The new mini-market in the old meat hall will be a nice space to work with a good atmosphere.”

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Pam Gibson, who runs The Mane Man Barber Shop, said she was pleased and excited with her move to the top of the meat market and is hopeful that it will have a positive impact on business.