'Barrow has lost its identity and its heart'
Jennie DennettFashion designers, arts chiefs and local government leaders were among those attending a summit to discuss the role of art and culture in the regeneration of Barrow.
A partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, the government, and nuclear submarine builder BAE Systems - which employs more than 14,500 people in the area - has set aside £200m be spent on a 10-year revamp of the town.
"All around the world, towns and cities that do well are places that people want to have a good time in," said designer Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of Red or Dead, who is among those spearheading the regeneration project.
"This is a once-in-a-generation chance for the town."
"We've got this really exciting moment," said Arts Council England chief Darren Henley, who attended the gathering at the University of Cumbria.
"When you have great cultural activities and artists in a place, it can really bring it to life."
"There's no reason why a person who was born and grew up in Barrow couldn't be leading and creating our big creative organisations," he said.
Henley called for more opportunities for young people in the town and backed the idea of building a new "cultural hub" following the closure of The Forum, an arts venue combining a theatre, cafe and market, which closed earlier this year over safety concerns
Protestors have called for a replacement for the theatre, which is set to be demolished, to open as soon as possible.
Jennie DennettLocal resident Stuart Benson said he had attended the theatre at The Forum "quite often", adding it had "good acts, old-ish acts", but said town "needs something for the young'uns" because there had been "nothing for them" since the Barrow Superbowl alley closed in 2008.
Fellow resident Kelly Love agreed: "They need to start with the kids. We need somewhere they would want to go, and could do for free."
"Barrow has lost its identity and its heart - you need to start from the ground," she said.
Hemingway, who was born in nearby Morecambe, said that the regeneration of Barrow was vital for local employers, such as BAE Systems, to continue attracting high-skilled workers to the area.
However, he cautioned that any investment should not solely be for the benefit of attracting workers to the town, but should "filter down" to everyone living there.
"The town centre isn't in its best state - from years of underinvestment, but all around the world, towns and cities that do well are places that people want to have a good time in."
