A year on since Barrow had to call in the army to help set up a Covid recovery centre at a local school, councillors have reflected on how far the town has come during the pandemic. Cases have dropped massively since the nation’s eyes turned on the town after it was highlighted by the Guardian, when according to Government figures Barrow had a rate of 882.2 for every 100,000 people – one of the worst in the country in May last year. As of April 2, two new people had a confirmed Covid test result over the week from March 27 to April 2; 13 people had a confirmed positive test result.
RISE: news of a council tax rise was met with a range of responses COUNCIL Tax is set to rise in Barrow. Sue Roberts, the director of resources at Barrow Borough Council, said the hike was necessary to help balance the budget. Residents will see a £5 increase a year on a Band D property. Ms Roberts told a meeting of the council s executive committee that 85 per cent of properties in the borough fell below the Band D rate. She said those properties below Band D would see an increase of 6p per week on average. The borough s share of the Council Tax will be close to four million pounds this next year, the meeting was told.
BARROW is a great place to live is the general consensus following a poll in which readers voted on the best and worst places to live in the area. More than 7,000 took part in our survey, which revealed that Hawcoat and Newbarns are the public s choice of best places to live in Barrow, with Walney not too far behind. POLL: Best places to live Playing host to some of the areas best sports clubs and scenery, Hawcoat and Newbarns are definitely a great place to be, but Walney undoubtedly gets the vote for natural beauty and wildlife hosting incredible beaches and two nature reserves.
A probe has been launched after a woman died following a house fire. Residents reacted with shock after the woman, who was in her 80s, died following the incident at a street in Barrow. Firefighters spent four hours at the house in Whinlatter Drive and are now working with police to establish what happened. Authorities are also searching for a mystery man who helped emergency services at the scene in the hope that he can help the investigation. The woman s death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Neighbours yesterday described their sadness at hearing of the tragedy.