Additional Millions Required for Market Hall Renovation Due to Asbestos Discovery

Further regeneration work on a market building requires millions of pounds following the discovery of “additional asbestos contamination” during investigations. Barrow Market Hall, located in Cumbria, is undergoing reconstruction as part of a £17.5 million town centre revitalization project, which is financed by the previous government’s Levelling Up initiative. Nevertheless, the cabinet of Westmorland and Furness Council has now advised approving an extra £6 million, stating that the current budget is “not sufficient.” The adjacent Forum arts and entertainment venue is scheduled to close in March for a period of up to two years, coinciding with the execution of the subsequent phase of works. According to official documents, this supplementary council funding will cover “critical enabling works,” which encompass the relocation of market traders, asbestos abatement, and structural repairs to the Market Hall. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that surveys and investigations identified asbestos contamination in various locations, including the market hall’s ceiling void, behind column casings, above lower-level ceilings, and within drainage ducts. A document from the council indicated that consistent air testing “confirmed that there has been no release of asbestos fibres into the Market Hall or Forum and so no risk to staff or public.” Traders relocated in August to temporary premises situated in The Mall, opposite Dalton Road, and within the former Meat Hall. In an announcement regarding the Forum’s closure, a statement on the venue’s official website explained that the subsequent phase of work at the Market Hall would utilize heavy machinery, creating a “possible risk that vibrations could impact the structure of the Forum and disturb areas of asbestos which are currently safely contained.” The statement further noted that all events scheduled from March 1st were immediately removed from sale, and ticket holders would be contacted. Where feasible, shows and conferences will be relocated to different venues. The Santa Express pantomime is set to proceed until its planned conclusion on December 24th, while the Forum’s cafe and toilet amenities will stay operational until the close of March 2025.