PLANS have been lodged to turn the former Wilko’s in Barrow into a bar which will offer a range of activities such as smart interactive darts and pool.
Scott Mckelvey has submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council to convert the former Wilko’s on Duke Street into an entertainment venue which will be called The Rack Shack.
The Rack Shack currently operate a venue in Whitehaven which planning documents say over the last six years has grown to be one of the ‘most popular’ bars in West Cumbria.
According to planning documents, the proposed Rack Shack in Barrow will offer a range of activities including English pool, American pool, snooker as well as smart interactive darts.
The applicants add all areas will have a ‘good view’ of at least one TV showing sport on Sky Sports, TNT Sports and terrestrial TV.
Plans say: “We aim to duplicate what we have done in Whitehaven at the next premises, in Barrow in Furness.
“We will have a separate Snooker room, dedicated Smart darts area and English and American Pool tables all situated around a modern and stylish bar area with a seated area for customers just wanting to enjoy a drink and the atmosphere of the venue and may also add a couple of different activities.”
The Wilko’s store in Barrow shut its doors in September 2023, after the company went into administration.
In proposals submitted to the council, the applicants say that once the ground floor area is ‘successfully operating’, they expect to start work on converting the first floor into a tenpin bowling area, which will be focussed more on families.
The Rack Shack opened its first premises in Whitehaven in 2018 and if plans are successful the Barrow venue will be their second premises.
Planning documents say: “Over the last 6 years we have overcome the significant impact of the Covid pandemic and associated lockdowns to continuously grow year on year to offer more and varied activities and we have learned what works with the general public.
“It is owned and run by Scott Mckelvey and Claire Mckelvey who will also be responsible for the second Rack Shack when it is opened.”
This planning application is currently undergoing public consultation.
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