I welcome the detail from Team Barrow’s announcement, but now we need a commitment to a theatre

Team Barrow has announced its plans for £22.9m to begin the regeneration of the centre of Barrow.

I welcome this additional detail from Team Barrow on the plans as well as a renewed commitment to involve residents in the plans.

Importantly, I am pleased that Westmorland and Furness Council has now listened to my calls over the last six months and will be publishing the town centre master plan before the Forum and market place are demolished. Those plans will still need to include a commitment to replace the Forum. We need the guarantee of a full, professional theatre, not just a “cultural space”. It is vital that we can see the detailed plans for the next phase before demolition happens.

“Getting the detail of the interim plans right will be very important. There is a whole generation of kids that will grow up with this offering, so it needs to be high quality and reflect the best of what has been delivered in other parts of the country. Our local theatre groups and culture organisations should be given a central role in developing the interim offer – Westmorland and Furness Council will not be able to get this right on their own.

We have an exciting opportunity to reshape our town for the future, providing new theatre, shopping, culture, and leisure facilities. I want to see a thriving town again, one that attracts footfall that will sustain retail and hospitality again, somewhere people want to visit and enjoy.

We have £220 million investment from the government to deliver that – this is a once in a generation opportunity and we have to get it right.