Key members of Team Barrow showcased the town’s potential to Alex Norris MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, during a recent visit.
Team Barrow is a partnership between central government, Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE Systems. It has been established to help transform the town, revitalising Barrow and Furness as a place where people choose to live, work, and thrive.
The visit included a stop in Barrow town centre, where the minister learnt about ongoing efforts to regenerate the high street, including the redevelopment of the indoor market and BAE Systems’ new Portland Walk facilities.
Minister Norris, who also toured the shipyard, said: “It has been great to see such fantastic examples of how Team Barrow are helping create and grow a strong community. I’m really looking forward to working with the team as Barrow joins this government’s mission to boost economic growth and opportunities for everyone in the UK.”
The Government’s ongoing commitment to the UK submarine programme will see BAE Systems’ workforce in Barrow continue grow from c13,500 in the coming years. Its shipyard is the only facility in the UK with the infrastructure, nuclear site-licence and resources necessary to design and build nuclear submarines.
Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: “This is a truly national endeavour and, as the home of the UK’s sovereign submarine design and build capability, we are incredibly proud of the role we play in supporting our Armed Forces.
“It was great to be able to share what we do with the minister, discuss the role of Team Barrow and reinforce the importance of continued investment in the town.”
Minister Norris also heard from the community and voluntary sector, visiting MIND in Furness and Ormsgill Community Centre, both of whom provide vital community services.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We were delighted to welcome the minister to Barrow and show him how we are all committed to working together to unlock Barrow’s huge potential to support a growing workforce, improve outcomes for all in our communities, build homes and improve transport infrastructure.
“This transformational focus on skills, education, jobs, infrastructure and our communities will have a massive positive impact not only on Barrow but Furness and the wider Westmorland and Furness area. It was great to have the opportunity to show the minister how far we have come already and outline our shared vision of what can be achieved.”
