Amphitheatre upgrade paves way for outdoor events

Bread and Butter Theatre Company performing at the amphitheatre in July

An amphitheatre in south Cumbria is being upgraded to allow more public events to take place.

The site at The Dock Museum, in Barrow, will get a new resin-bound surface and trees will be planted in the area.

It will be used during a programme of family-friendly events, which takes place each summer.

Peter Thornton, a Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member, said the modern space "will help to improve people’s perception overall" of Barrow.

Astral Circus performing at the amphitheatre in August

Work will take about 12 weeks, with a pop-up power unit and new lighting installed.

The amphitheatre will be used in the Brilliant Barrow Summer of Fun programme, which the council said attracted thousands of people to the area.

Funding is being provided through the council's Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Place Development, which secured £25m from the government's Town Fund in 2022.

A second outdoor events space will be created at the rear of Barrow Market Hall. It will also be used for summer events.

Fellow cabinet member Virginia Taylor added: "Hundreds of people have enjoyed the activities on offer so far, and this improved events space at The Dock Museum will enable audience experience to be even better."