07/05/04 - Barrow Local Committee gives cash backing to tall ships festival

Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Barrow is sponsoring a two-day Tall Ships Festival taking place next month. 

The Committee today agreed to provide £5,000 to the festival which is being organised by Barrow Borough Council and is in line to be one of the largest events held in Cumbria this year. Members were told that there are plans to make Barrow the focus of tourism based events linked in with the West Lakes Renaissance’s West Coast Festival programme and based on the area’s maritime heritage.

The port has been offered the opportunity to work with Max Navigation of Finland and the Manx Government to host a flotilla of tall ships for an annual event between 2004 and 2007. Up to 12 ships could visit next month, including Mir, one of the largest afloat.

Councillor Alan Nicholson, Chair of Barrow Local Committee, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to alter perceptions of Barrow. The area has a major role to play in Cumbria’s tourism drive and the festival also gives us the chance to promote the investment opportunity of Barrow docks.

“There will also be the immediate and direct benefits to the retail, hotel and catering trade in the town. Last year’s powerboat event saw an estimated 35 per cent increase in town centre retail trade over the weekend. Barrow is uniquely placed to accommodate this festival, and the building of links with the Isle of Man, which is only 35 miles away, will benefit both economies.”

To broaden the visitor base of the event and to develop Barrow as a centre of excellence for powerboat racing, a bid has been made for a Formula 2000 national championship heat the same weekend.