Conservative councillors and campaigners have welcomed the announcement of the decision to confer Royal Status on the Port of Barrow-in-Furness, following a long-running campaign that was led by the area’s former MP, Simon Fell.
With papers submitted last year for the town to be considered in recognition of its contributions to shipbuilding and the defence of the realm, it has now been confirmed that the King will bestow the honour of the Royal Port of Barrow on the town.
Westmorland & Furness Council was a signatory to Simon Fell’s campaign, and local Conservative councillors have welcomed the news. Councillor Matt Brereton, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on Westmorland and Furness Council, says: “As someone who was born in Barrow, I was quick to sign up in support of Simon’s campaign and was pleased to set out the reasons why I believe Barrow is deserving of Royal recognition.
“Like many I suspect, I admit I had to set aside my initial scepticism that our calls for Royal status would be heeded, so today’s news is such a welcome surprise. It is recognition of the upward trajectory the town is on, with the Team Barrow funding starting to be spent, town centre regeneration, a jobs boom in both the defence and green energy sectors, and a new university campus set to open its doors in September.
“None of these things in isolation will be transformative, but taken together, and with the buy-in from local people and businesses, the future is certainly bright for Barrow. There is still a huge amount of hard work to do to improve our town and consolidate the gains that are on offer, but I am optimistic that as long as hard-working, plain-speaking Barrovians are given their say, then we can capitalise on the opportunities ahead. I look forward to welcoming King Charles here for him to see for himself what the town and the wider Furness area are all about!”
Simon Fell, the town’s former MP, comments: “We led the campaign to make this happen – taking it to the Cabinet Secretary and PM in PMQs, getting hundreds of people and businesses to lend their support, running short videos online, and submitting the papers to the Cabinet Office just over a year ago to this day.
“The community’s future has never been brighter – not least between AUKUS and the £200m we secured through Team Barrow. But this celebrates and recognises the past – that for over 150 years Barrow and its people have quietly got on with the job of building the boats that have kept us and our allies safe. They haven’t been showy about it – they’ve just got on with it. That takes a special character, and I’m over the moon that our friends, families, and their forebears are being recognised for it.
“I wanted to thank all of you who contributed to videos, lent your support, shared it with your networks, co-ordinated letters, and cajoled people – especially the amazing team from my former MP’s office who really made this happen. Thank you… what a win!”
Ben Shirley, one of the Conservative Councillors for Dalton North Ward on Westmorland and Furness Council, worked closely with Simon Fell on the campaign. He adds: “This status matters because it’s about addressing the negative perceptions of Barrow, and the town and its people receiving the recognition it rightly deserves, in a positive light, at long last.
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Simon when he campaigned for this, and I remember the first time Brian Boyd and Jonny Williams walked into our office to ask him to support them with this campaign and Simon was on board immediately. Despite all the nay-sayers and doubters, he stuck to it and now we have it! It will be nice to see His Majesty the King visit this part of the world too.”
