Shaping the Future of Barrow: Stakeholder event sees excitement grow for university

The special event was held to inform and engage guests from across the region about the opening of Barrow’s first university campus. The evening brought together a dynamic mix of community leaders, industry representatives, local influencers, councillors, and organisations, all united by a shared ambition to shape Barrow’s future through enhanced access to higher education. 

 

Professor Julie Mennell DL, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cumbria; Dr Simon Case, Chair of the Delivery Board for Team Barrow; and Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness delivered addresses to the guests. Each shared their vision for how the University of Cumbria's increased presence and growing academic provision will provide opportunities for the town and wider region, alongside other projects in this time of transformation.  

 An insightful panel discussion led by the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, also took place with guests participating in a Q&A session. The panellists were: 

• Professor Julie Mennell DL, Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria 

• Dr Simon Case, Chair of Delivery Board, Team Barrow  

• Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness 

• Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director, BAE Systems 

• Sam Plum, Chief Executive, Westmorland and Furness Council 

• Steve Cole, Chair, Brilliant Barrow 

• Professor Mary Morrell, Head of School, The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine 

The discussion focused on the significance of bringing tertiary education to a region recognised as a higher education cold spot, and how the campus and university provision will support social mobility, economic regeneration, and skills development. 

Speakers and attendees alike highlighted the importance of collaborative working with key partners to ensure that course offerings meet the current and future workforce needs of the area. The new university campus will deliver accessible, relevant, and high-quality education that will empower local people and create new opportunities for generations to come. 

Speaking at Abbey House Hotel, Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell DL said: “In 2016, lots of different individuals, organisations, place leaders, employer representatives came together and said what do we need and how best do we deliver higher education in Barrow. 

So, to be in a position now nine years later, where we're opening the Learning Quarter in Barrow is really quite something. It represents not just who we are, but importantly why we are here and that significance of working collaboratively to address not just challenges, but also opportunities. 

And the fact that so many of you here today are individuals and representatives from organisations that we're already working with and we're looking to develop further, I think is a really strong message in terms of the potential that we have in and for Barrow.” 

In his address to invited guests, Chair of the Team Barrow Delivery Board, Dr Simon Case said: "Barrow has a bright and prosperous future where growth and expansion equal opportunity. Barrow has an economic future that very few places in the country can lay claim to. 

What we are trying to do with Team Barrow is make sure that investment equals opportunity for everybody in Barrow and those yet to come to Barrow. 

Barrow has a level of economic certainty which I think is unprecedented in the country at the moment. And that is because I don't think there's any other town in the UK that is as strategically significant, not only to its own nation, but actually to the entire Western alliance.” 

Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham said: “For too long, the young people in Barrow had to leave our town to access higher education and often never return. Creation of a university campus brings together education and higher education for the people of Barrow. 

Open doors, raise aspirations, equipping local people with the skills our economy needs here. It also sends a powerful message that Barrow deserves the same access to opportunity as anywhere else in the country.” 

As Barrow prepares to welcome its first cohort of university campus students, this event marked an inspiring step forward in transforming the town into a thriving centre for learning, innovation, and opportunity.