Council set to appoint Barrow Market and Forum demolition contractor
The market hall was closed last month
Westmorland & Furness council is set to award a contract of more than £6million for the demolition of Barrow Market and Forum.
Last month, following heavy rainfall, tests on water samples showed the presence of asbestos leading to the decision for need for demolition.
Members of the council’s cabinet are due to meet at Barrow Town Hall in Duke Street on Tuesday (March 17) to consider the matter.
According to the report a briefing paper – Operational Case for Demolition of Barrow Indoor Market Hall and The Forum – outlines the operational case for demolition of the buildings.
The report states: “The paper concludes the Indoor Market and Forum should be demolished further supported by the Heart of Barrow Options Appraisal Report being presented to Cabinet on March 17, 2026.
“This decision seeks approval from cabinet to demolish the Forum and Indoor Market. To award the preferred bidder the two-stage design and demolition contract for the sum of £6,676,803.83 including VAT.”
According to the report the stage one design is at a fixed cost of £92,249.62 inclusive of VAT and the stage two demolition is estimated to be £6,584,554.20 but it is not yet fixed, until completion of the stage one design contract, and It is recommended that a risk allowance of 20 per cent be allocated to the stage two cost to cover any unforeseen works.
It states: “The remaining £11million allocation from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund is now being administered through the framework of the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF).
“This approach enables the council to exercise greater local discretion over project selection, profiling of expenditure and delivery timelines, ensuring that investment decisions are closely aligned with locally identified priorities and the council’s adopted strategic objectives.
“By managing the balance through the LRF, the authority gains enhanced flexibility to respond to changing economic conditions, mitigate delivery risks, and maximise value for money, while maintaining full compliance with Government assurance, monitoring and reporting requirements.
“The deadline to spend these funds is March 2028. There is a time critical element to this decision. The ongoing retention of the vacant Indoor Market and Forum buildings will escalate health and safety risks.”
According to the report the statutory compliance risk associated with continued ownership and control will increase, as will public health concerns and exposure to unplanned incidents requiring emergency intervention.
It adds: “A recent roof leak in February 2026 leading to a significantly increased likelihood to potential asbestos contamination in habitable areas of the Indoor Market building exemplifies the requirement for taking urgent action as supported by the asbestos risk assessment and management plan.”
Members are recommended approve the award of a two-staged commission for the design and demolition of the Barrow Forum and Barrow Indoor Market at the costs outlined in the report.