High Street Culture
Find out what’s coming up in our four-year programme of cultural activity across England's High Streets Heritage Action Zones, continuing until 2024.
The Re:discover Barrow project will rejuvenate the town's retail offer, improve housing opportunities and help boost local pride in the town.
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.
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.
Find out what’s coming up in our four-year programme of cultural activity across England's High Streets Heritage Action Zones, continuing until 2024.
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
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