A SERIES of projects – including improvements to the public areas of Barrow’s Portland Walk and Dalton town centre – are in line to benefit from Government funding.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda – was launched in April 2022 and £2,477,528 has been allocated to Barrow Borough Council.

Members of Barrow Borough Council’s Executive Committee today noted each of the seven schemes set to benefit from a share of the allocated sum in its first year once the funding is confirmed.

They include £78,657 for public realm enhancements at Portland Walk, in Barrow’s town centre. Although the Portland walk units are owned by a number of private landlords, the funding would provide the opportunity for the council to enhance the public realm to help encourage businesses to move in, improving the area for everyone. Part of this money would also pay for enhancements within Dalton town centre.

A further £52,913 would be used to create a dedicated cycle storage facility, kitchen and toilet within the Boat House at Barrow Park as well as a dedicated cycle storage facility at The Dock Museum.

The year one funding would also provide a tourism and heritage strategy for Piel Island, a feasibility study for Dalton Leisure Centre and the production of concept designs and the delivery of a project called The Key to give employment support to economically inactive people in the local area.

Councillor Lee Roberts, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council and its lead member for economic development and strategic partnerships, said: “This money will fund the launch of a number of projects that will help to bring a wide range of benefits and opportunities to the borough and its communities.

“We look forward to receipt of the funding so that these projects can get underway, many via our partner agencies and organisations working across the borough.”

Consultation was undertaken with a range of stakeholders to help set a list of priorities for the area around which the investment would be based.

These priorities; Community and Place, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills, are set out in a special document – the Barrow UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan. The plan was considered by the Westmorland and Furness Council Shadow Cabinet in July as well as by Barrow Borough Council’s Executive Committee later the same month before being submitted to Government.

Years 2 and 3 of the plan would be delivered by the new Westmorland and Furness Council which will provide all services across the area from April 1, 2023, replacing Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council, Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council.