Barrow-in-Furness High Street Heritage Action Zone

Barrow is Cumbria's second largest urban centre and the home to BAE Systems, a big employer, as well as some key modern technologies, such as nuclear power and wind energy, which has seen it become one of Cumbria's most industrialised towns. Barrow's grid of streets is set around the central spine of Duke Street, which was once the town's major shopping street.

Today, Barrow town centre is one of the most deprived areas in England. Its built environment has deteriorated significantly, it has a very high vacancy rate and a number of prominent buildings have become derelict.

How the Barrow-in-Furness High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

With £1.1 million of government funding, delivered through Historic England, the Re:discover Barrow project aims to rejuvenate the retail heart of the town, improve housing opportunities and help people to feel proud of their town again. Vacant buildings will be brought back into use, homes will be created within upper floors and attractive traditional shop fronts will come back to the high street.

Partnering with Art Gene, Re:discover Barrow promises a strong cultural programme and a variety of community engagement projects. Partners will ask locals what they want to see, from art and exhibitions to installations and events. The programme will also aim to show the importance of protecting and enhancing Barrow's rich heritage through an educational programme with a particular focus around heritage skills.

Stay up to date

Below you can find just some of the progress being made in the Barrow-in-Furness High Street Heritage Action Zone. For more, follow us on Twitter @HistoricEngland

• Westmoreland and Furness Council is working on repair and restoration projects with numerous property owners within the High Street Heritage Action Zone
• There are traditional sign writing, heritage skills and building maintenance workshops planned for 2022
• Designs are currently being worked up to improve the streetscape along Duke Street in 2022 
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Working in partnership with

• Westmoreland and Furness Council