The Forum

Significance

The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness originated as the Civic Hall, a multi-purpose development completed in 1971 that included market halls, a shopping arcade and roof-level parking. Following a £2m refurbishment in 1990, it was converted into an arts centre, with a new entrance, restoring a professional theatre venue to the town. Located in the town centre and adjoining the Market Hall, the building is arranged over two storeys with an attic level and is constructed in brick with timber-panelled elements. Its principal elevation features a projecting three-bay entrance with a pitched hipped roof and gabled detailing. Internally, the venue contains a main auditorium with fixed raked seating and a proscenium stage, together with a studio theatre equipped for presentations, conferences and film screenings. Until its closure, The Forum served as the principal cultural and performance venue for Barrow-in-Furness.

Why is this theatre at risk?

After the discovery of asbestos in July 2024 the main space at The Forum was forced to close for an initial six months. In December 2024, it was announced the theatre would be closing for two years as works to remove the asbestos were more complex than originally expected. In February 2026 the connected Market Hall was forced to close after wet weather worsened leaks and revealed further exposed asbestos.

Following reports detailing the extent of the asbestos, both The Forum and the Market Hall were sealed due to safety concerns. After receiving these reports Westmorland and Furness Council voted to demolish both buildings as part of plans for town centre regeneration.

Theatre potential

The Forum is the only theatre in Barrow-in-Furness and is centrally located with good transport links. There is a strong amateur theatre scene alongside the professional touring offer.

There is clear public support for The Forum with hundreds of residents joining a public demonstration against its proposed demolition in March 2026.

There is a demonstrable need for a venue in Barrow-in-Furness. The Forum’s website continues to sell tickets for performances in alternate spaces around the town, however, these spaces aren’t properly equipped theatre spaces and limit the operator’s ability to programme and serve the community need.

Current situation

Prior to its closure the council had planned to invest £16m from the government’s Levelling Up fund to improve the Forum and the adjoining Market Hall. While the council has now voted to demolish the theatre, there is ambition to develop a new cultural facility as part of a £200m government investment in Barrow in recognition of its strategic importance to national security and defence. This includes investment to create an active and thriving town centre to help attract new residents, workers and families, of which a theatre is a vital part. Management of the funding is with Team Barrow, a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, BAE Systems and the UK Government.

While we are pleased to learn of the council’s ambition for cultural reprovision, there has yet to be a firm financial commitment to the project or to the scale and type of venue that will be provided.

The council is programming cultural events into venues around Barrow, including the Town Hall, and events unable to be accommodated in Barrow are moving to The Coro in nearby Ulverston. However, there remains concern that the distance excludes part of Barrow’s community from accessing professional work. The council is also looking into providing a temporary theatrical space in Barrow for usage while regeneration plans are developed. Theatres Trust is supporting the council with this work.

Theatres Trust has met with the council and offered our support in understanding both the local demand for cultural reprovision, the future increased need, and what theatre provision will be required to support the regeneration project’s ambition of a thriving and vibrant town centre. We have also met with Michelle Scrogham MP for Barrow & Furness, who is firmly in support of ensuring the people of Barrow are provided with a new and fit for purpose theatre.

Theatres Trust will continue to engage with the council, the MP and other key stakeholders to ensure the future of cultural provision in Barrow through a replacement venue and making appropriate theatrical spaces available while plans are developed.