A fun-filled event to mark the official opening of a dedicated public events space for Barrow will feature an exciting lineup of family-friendly entertainment.
The amphitheatre - at The Dock Museum - has been overhauled as part of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Place Development project following a 12 week programme of work.
It features a new resin-bound surface, a pop-up power unit, lighting scheme and temporary stage as well as planted areas and trees.
Now, members of the public are invited to a celebration launch event at the amphitheatre on Wednesday 29 May between 11am and 3pm to enjoy an array of acts and entertainers sure to keep crowds spellbound.
Craft activities will also be provided by arts organisation BarrowFull along with free Brilliant Barrow giveaways.
The event kicks off the third Brilliant Barrow Summer of Fun - a programme of entertainment and activities which will take place in locations in Barrow’s town centre over the coming months.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities, said: “The Brilliant Barrow Place Development project has already delivered two fantastic summer events programmes which have attracted tens of thousands of people to Barrow’s town centre.
“I’m absolutely delighted to see the next phase of the project completed with the amphitheatre setting able to further enhance the experience for residents and visitors.
“We haven’t had the best weather while the work to upgrade the space was underway but it is opening on time and as planned. My thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this element of the project to fruition.”
Westmorland and Furness Council is working with a range of partners to deliver the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal which secured £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in 2022.
The Place Development project which aims to help attract residents and visitors to the town centre, increasing footfall and boosting the local economy while improving the overall perception of Barrow as a great place to live, work and visit.
The celebration launch event at the amphitheatre - which will be compared by Barrow’s own Chris Barker - will begin at 11am with a performance from KS Musicals.
Steve Cole, CIO and Operational Improvement Director at BAE Systems Maritime and Land and Chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, will be joined on stage by a pupil from Brisbane Park School, along with local performers for the launch which will be marked with a confetti cannon.
The afternoon will go on to feature the Bread and Butter Theatre Company, Boom Dang, entertainer Gary Bridgens and a bubble extravaganza.
Steve Cole said: “Brilliant Barrow is about delivering projects that will make a tangible difference to both the town and its communities so that it can go forward and thrive for years to come.
“What we can already see through the Place Development project is the positive impact it is making in so many ways by successfully drawing people to the town centre, increasing footfall and spend for local businesses and changing the perceptions people have of the town.
“I’m looking forward to the official launch event of the amphitheatre and hope as many people as possible enjoy the day.”
Event timings
11am: Intro Chris Barker Compare KS Musicals – sea themed songs - Stage
11.45: Official opening
12 noon: Bread and Butter – Stage and amphitheatre floor
12.45pm: Boom Dang Drum Show on stage
1.30pm: Gary Bridgens
2pm: Bubble Man show on stage
2.30pm: Bread and Butter on stage
3pm: Chris Barker
Click here for more information on the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal.
On July 27, 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth.
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between Government, the lead council (Westmorland and Furness Council) and the Town Deal Board (the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board). It sets out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision.
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19.