Works to make way for a major Barrow town centre regeneration project are to start in November.

Barrow-based Leck Construction have been awarded the contract to demolish properties at 77/79, 81 and 83 Dalton Road, 10 Stephen Street and 1,2,3 and 4 The Ginnel on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council as part of its £17.5m Barrow Town Centre Regeneration Scheme.

The work is part of a once-in-a-generation £17.5 million Levelling Up Fund scheme to reinvigorate the Market Hall, neighbouring arts and entertainment venue The Forum and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre, bringing the community together and boosting the local economy.

The demolition works at the empty Dalton Road, Stephen Street and The Ginnel shops is set to start in mid November, 2023, and this element of the project is due for completion in early 2024. This work is to make way for the introduction of a pocket park and enhanced public realm

Access to The Ginnel walkway between Dalton Road and Stephen Street will be closed at some points during the demolition work.

The last remaining business in The Ginnel shops, Got It Covered, will be moving into a new shop unit very close by on Dalton Road. The unit will be located on the site of the former 93 Dalton Road and is due to arrive in early October.

Got it Covered has said it will trade from its shop in The Ginnel until 4 November and start trading from the new shop location on Dalton Road from 6 November 6.

Alan and Lynne Elrick, the directors of Got It Covered, have traded from 1 The Ginnel for 18 years.

Mr Elrick said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of the new gateway to Barrow town centre. The modular shop unit is being sited in a fantastic front street location on Dalton Road.

“We have always been very positive about regeneration in the town and we fully support Barrow Town Centre Regeneration Scheme. The council project, alongside the BAE Systems Portland Walk developments, should be the catalyst to see future growth, encouraging mainstream retailers and new independent retailers. In the current climate, independents like us are propping up the retail sector.

“This relocation to 93 Dalton Road for Got It Covered can bring us better prospects and prompted us to open a second shop, Got It Covered Again, which is across the road at 82 Dalton Road.”

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: “This work is a crucial component of regeneration of the market, The Forum and the surrounding public realm and I am really looking forward to seeing this particular area opened up and developed into something residents, shoppers and visitors will appreciate.

“Our wider Levelling Up project is tremendously exciting for Barrow and demonstrates Westmorland and Furness Council’s commitment to working with communities t0 support them in shaping their own destiny and thriving. The future is looking bright for Barrow and we are proud to be playing a large part in driving that forward.”