Views sought for £200m town centre regeneration
BBCResidents are being asked what changes they would like made to their town centre as part of a £200m regeneration project.
Westmorland and Furness Council is to begin the first phase of a new regeneration programme for Barrow town centre.
The development will replace previously announced works on Market Hall and the Forum, which were paused to create more "ambitious" plans.
The council's assistant director of community and infrastructure, David Haughian, said the aim was to create a "thriving, prosperous town where people can flourish and grow".
"We know that to achieve this, we need to address some of the challenges that hold the town back, particularly in the town centre and in the quality of our housing," he said.
Haughian said the conversations with local residents and groups would run through December and January and would allow the council to find out what people wanted for the town centre and its "longer-term transformation".
Questions for residents
The council will ask people three key questions about Barrow:
- What do you enjoy most about the town centre?
- What changes would make you come into town more ?
- Real change in the town centre will take time. In the meantime, what should we focus on to make it busy and vibrant right now?
The council said it wanted to reach as many people as possible, including local schools, care home residents, community groups and under-represented voices.
The feedback will inform short-term plans, such as how cultural, entertainment and community activities can be maintained in the town centre.
The second phase of the project will ask the community to provide views on longer-term options.
The council said no final decisions had been made on the Market Hall or Forum buildings.
