Does Anyone Care about this Boarded Up Seaside Town? 

Mural.

If you live in any of these towns: put your phone down, go into your town, buy something. Buy your lunch. Meet real people in REAL life. Support what's left & businesses will return. The more time & money you spend online, the less time & money you spend in real life: what did you think was going to happen?

Wow. Just wow. I did 6 months in Barrow in 2010, working with the shipyard on the Astute Submarine program. Every one of those places that are boarded up now were open. Seeing that High St. is sad .... when I was there over a Christmas, that place was so crowded you could barely walk, I bought Christmas presents in that Debenhams. Tragic.

Having lived here all my life I have to say this is a very balanced view, it’s incredibly sad for those of us old enough to remember when Barrow truly WAS a “Boom town” every shop and pub packed it really was a vibrant town.

My ex is from Barrow, I used to really enjoy going to visit her family in the ‘90’s, the pub crawls were legendary! Such a shame to see what it has become.

Enlightening and informative. I find these once thriving towns very depressing now. A few £millions go nowhere in a place like that.

I love this as I’m from barrow and live here, the Wetherspoons isn’t closed down it’s open daily and has recently been expanded with garden area and has a hotel above it which is always busy, the barrow arms also isn’t a derilict pub and is still open and very busy over the weekends, alot of our town is boarded and Covid was a big factor with lots closing down after everyone started shopping online and not using the shops. The schools in the area are good and we have a lovely park and many beaches around us which are lovely. I wouldn’t live anywhere else

Build more houses they cry...use what we have I say u can't keep building more it's outrageous loads of places left to rot it's a sad situation 😢

My granny was called Murial, she was also a big fan of murals 👍🏽 . Great post , really appreciated a shame all these forgotten towns , thanks for documenting this stuff

My great grandmother and great grandfather relocated from Northern Ireland in early 1900’s to Barrow. My grandfather worked for H&W before so went to work in the shipyard. My mother run a bakery from the front window of her terrace house. They had 7 children. The lads worked on the shipyard but the girls moved down to Staffordshire on a working estate, my grandfather moved down to them via the railways. Barrow is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It’s sadly been a forgotten place and doesn’t deserve it. So close to the Lake District. Deserves so much more investment.

Really like that they haven't let it decay and at least kept it looking nice and covered over the boarding in the town centre.

Emlyn Hughes played for Liverpool in the late 60's-70's, he was born in Barrow, he played for a number of other teams until 1984(ish) he also captained England and then became one of the captains on 'A question of sport' on BBC1 :)

Smashed it again, my favourite one yet! Even though the town is boarded up, I think it speaks well of the people there that nothing is smashed up, unlike places in your other videos. The town seems to have a lot of pride in itself which is nice. Can’t wait for you next one 🥰

I stayed in Barrow-in-Furness in March 2022 for one night to break up the journey to the Lake District, and coming from a big city I was astounded at how deserted the town was given it was a Sunday afternoon when we arrived. Myself and the friends I traveled with had a look around the center for some food & drink, but ended up in the Wetherspoons which was packed with locals, which was nice to see. I'm pleased to see that the area is receiving some investment, and can say that the holiday Inn Express was very good for the night!

One reason for the empty shops could be like 10 minutes from town centre. We have a Morrisons, B&Q, a massive sports direct, a superstore B&M's, Halfords, pets at home, Iceland. A large Tesco, TK Maxx, curry's, Dunelm, a new Smyth's toy superstore which is opening soon. Lots of eating places, such as KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, Costas, subway. Also we have next plus more and furniture stores, Argos, home bargains, Matalan, Asda, a massive furniture store with its own restaurant. Then if you like fishing, Kite surfing, walking the dog or watching seals, we have beaches all around us, you can even get a boat over to Piel Island, can visit the roundhouse café with beautiful views over the Irish Sea. We have one of the most nicest parks in Cumbria with the leisure centre in a café putting field, and a lovely big lake with wildlife (and seagulls), and then 4 miles away, there's a zoo, and if you don't fancy any of this, just 12 miles from Barrow, you can get a steam train to Lakeside and then a boat over to one of the nicest places on Earth, Windermere and Bowness etc etc. Back in Barrow, there's a small dock museum with lovely views on the channel to the mountains. We've also got a football team in the football league. Please come back in a few years but not on a Thursday at 5 pm and a half Day closing, come on a Friday 1 pm in the summer holidays maybe children always makes a town centre look a bit busier. Barrow and nearby towns have a total population of around 80,000-ish and the shipyard alone will soon employ 17,000 people it just needs people to support town centres a bit more and for them to stop moaning all the time. Thank you for your great video and nice to see your positivity about the town. 🙂

It's so depressing to see the town I was born and lived in such a state.

I would suggest Dudley in the West Midlands. This used to be a prosperous High Street but in the 1980s it was beginning to struggle. The Round Oak Steelworks closed in 1982 and the site was used to build the Merry Hill Centre which shafted the traditional High Street. Last time I went past the opening offer if you wanted to rent a shop was 2 years rent free. I haven't been there for a while but you could see whether they have broken the cycle of decline.

Absolutely love watching your work. Proper journalism, enjoyable, factual, historical and you learn. 10/10 👍👍👍

It breaks my heart to see Barrow as it is today. I grew up there in the 50’s and 60’s. We had so much fun at the beach, riding our bikes all over with no curfew and no worry, running up the steps to the cenotaph, etc. I hope that with the grant Barrow has been given, it can be restored to its former self. Barrovian for life!!!

David, Wandering Turnip, you need to do a video about Darlington and its railroad world history. It’s a somewhat depressed area also, however they received a grant to develop the railroad museum. The council is trying to turn the place around. Nice to see the hope for towns like Barrow and Darlington!

Great video. I’m originally from Barrow myself, but moved away 20 years ago. It’s nice that you didn’t just focus on the deprived town centre, as every RU-vidr does, but also showed Walney Island, which is a beautiful place. There are many more hidden gems, such as Furness abbey, Roa and Piel Island, and the lovely beaches along the coast road. Stan Laurel was born in the nearby town of Ulverson, which is a fantastic place to visit. I’m proud to be a Barrovian, miss the people greatly and the local food.

Thanks for your efforts to deliver videos on the towns in the North. I'm from London and I find your videos very interesting if at times a little depressing. Keep up the good work. Your enthusiasm for history behind these places is most enjoyable.

A great insight into Barrow, hopefully, all the funding will be put to good use and revive the town again.

What struck me when I visited Barrow was how beautiful the towns along the way via train are: Grange-over-Sands, Ulverston, Dalton-in-Furness. Definitely worth breaking your journey a few times if you do come via rail. Then you reach Barrow and it's... well quite a stark contrast as you see here. Nice to hear about the levelling up scheme though.

New subber here from Canada . This is such a lovely location - sea side town - are you kidding me . There is so much potential . With the climate changing ,folks don’t have to line up for flights to warmer climes . Folks can stay in Britain and live by the sea. The idea of a college is brilliant . A combination of retirement destination / holiday / technology hub / educational center . And all the infrastructure is right there . Every one wants to move out of the big cities ,And its beside the sea - are you kidding me !! Your vlogs are wonderful - I wish you every success and look forward to seeing more .

Hi Dave, lived in Barrow in the eighties until 2005 my kids where born there. Was a great night out in the 80s the Barrow arms was a popular pub always packed at weekends, then over to Manhattans nightclub…you would have seen the sign Hollywoods now I think it’s called. The old building you said had great decor was the old Abbey road public baths, on the same street the continental pub is currently being refurbished, next door was a serious fire which decimated the House of Lords was a working men’s club, won’t be demolished it’s listed. The Town took a massive hit during the late 80s when most of the workforce worked in Vickers now BAE, around 23k people had full time employment, then it sadly declined, lots of people became unemployed due to Vickers losing orders, that was the beginning of the end really. Pubs, clubs and a lot of businesses went under, lots of people left the town to relocate to other shipyards. Once Debenhams went that was it for the town centre, nobody patronised the shops, therefore what you witnessed is the backlash of it all. It really was a great place to live in the eighties once a thriving town….and like Dave Gibney (I know of him)said said beaches surrounding Barrow area. It wasn’t all bad…just sad now. Sorry for the long post but just to inform you…very enjoyable video and yes I’ve subscribed.

I love these videos and the work you’ve been doing in showcasing these somewhat forgotten and lesser known parts of the UK. Barrow looks pretty decent, all things considered - it has so much potential! I hope they get the £29m they’re asking for.

Another great video Dave, looked alot better than some places where industry has left, got loads of potential with the beaches and just down the road to the lake District. E Hughes, great footballer, remember watching him play again Derby county back in the 70s. Keep up the good work 👍

Good video. Thanks for this info about Barrow in Furness. I believe the whole of the UK, to different degrees is affected by this town centre decline.

A very fair assessment of Barrow, I grew up there in the 80s leaving early 90s but going back to visit often. The downfall seems more aqute when you don't witness it creeping in. The town, the approaches all seemed clean and fairly litter free, the issue, as highlighted, is a singke main employer which the town has relied on, lose that, lose the town. It's a great location, like many 'locals' who have lived away, I grow frustrated by the group think and dour attitude, it would be OK if it was an act but I'm afraid it isn't. Great town, needs a boot up the backside.

Brilliant. You are so good at what you do. This reminds me of many once thriving cities here in the States, including my hometown of Rochester, New York. Downtown there was like our NYC, absolutely fabulous and now pretty dead. Now I have lived in South Florida for 35 years, where there is way TOO much development going on. Very well done!

What an absolutely brilliant video once again! Your penchant for exploring and researching the history of each town you go to is really inspirational. This town comes across as really cheery and determined too. It would be really lovely if there was a FE education college here.

I've lived near barrow for nearly 20 years and you can't believe how sad the place looks now compared to what it looks like now. There were barely any closed stores and loads of people would be out at the weekend. The best local places to Barrow to go to now are Furness Abbey, Roanhead and Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve. We're protesting to save Roanhead just now though *Next time you come up here, go to Rampside and get the Piel ferry to Piel Island. Go to the pub and meet the King

Another excellent video Mr Turnip, keep up the good work. I really like the bits of history you explain throughout the video. My grandfather served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and his submarine was built in Barrow. I liked the way you described them as "the wars of the 1900s".

I had the pleasure of living in Barrow I was so totally welcomed to a wonderfully spirited town. Both my partner and I hold a special affection for the place It has real community spirit. Interesting that the suicide rate is a good deal lower than would be expected, this is due to a sense of solidarity. Like Dave described the location is amazing! Honestly the beach at Roan head is just incredible. If you get the chance to visit or live in Barrow, honestly do it! Near by Dalton and Ulverston are also great towns. Barrow’s people are people with a real sense of fun. They make the place.

I lived there twice when I was young, on Walney Island. West-Shore Road and Weaver Green near the golf-course. Boy did it blow! It was quite desolate and a walk to the paper shop was an adventure just getting there and back, yet there was something magnificent about it. And when the 6 o'clock whistle went at Vickers all the bicycles came over the bridge like the Tour de France. What memories.

Such a fresh and brilliant channel. Love your passion and listening to you makes it easy to learn and take in the town's history. New subscriber!

Sadly it going to take huge investments to get the Hight streets of towns thriving again. But with on-line shopping its tough for retail shops to compete on price. Great info 2x👍.

didn't expect to see my home town on your video, nice job man

Glad you picked a sunny day for Barrow - it always helps!

Westherspoons isn't closed, it's still open. The House of Lords is being demolished due to it going up in flames, and Debenhams has been bought by BAE. Our town used to be thriving, but Internet shopping is killing it 😔

The seaside town is astounding.The shops are captivating.The history of barrow is amazing,but as you went around empty or deserted shops and areas that's not disappointing,the tone of birds of sea over the town led someone to dreams of fantasy

Born and raised in Barrow, still live here. It's been really hard watching the high street die. Covid was a massive blow to the town. One of the things that has done a lot to prevent growth is the excessive taxes and rents on the shops on the Highstreet. (I know a few owners of some shops and they said so themselves. It's cheaper the buy the building outright and not rent it.) The location and getting here is also a big factor, if the national rail was more reliable then i expect things could pick up. There has also been talk that never goes anywhere about a toll bridge being built from here to Morecambe over the bay that would cut travel times to the motorway. Though that would be at the cost of of the towns and villages on the A590. There's also a university campus being built now! So that will help alot!

That is a lovely clean place upon first inspection. I did not notice any grafiti which is great. That looks like a lovely peaceful town. Great video as usual 😊

Barrow is my hometown, I'm in Liverpool now. I used to work opposite the Barrow arms (the theatre bar) I lived there through the 80s & 90s when the shipyard went Boom and bust, both my parents worked there and we're made redundant. Barrow used to have the busiest town centre and the best nightlife and working class pub culture. Cornwallis st (aka the gaza strip) was iconic. When they remodelled the town centre and built Portland walk it was always busy and all the shops were packed. You could spend all say in town, shopping. It's really sad to see Barrow in this state. Whats also worth a mention is the Old cinema, it was such a classic cinema and was super popular. It should have been kept as an old style movie theatre, or turned into a theatre, and the building should have been protected. Instead it was demolished and turned into a souless looking office block. Barrow was a wonderful place full of the best and most friendly people. So sad that it has come to this. It's location is amazing and it's got some beautiful surroundings. I really hope it gets the money and attention it needs.

I went to college in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. I went back recently to catch up with some old friends and was totally shocked by how many boarded up shops there were. It’s a very small town centre so might not make the best episode, but it’s not far from Dudley, which I saw someone else had mentioned, so it might be worth taking a look if you’re down that way

Beautiful at the end. Love your enthusiasm for the history of these places. Thanks

Thanks for showing how the world really works. Looking forward to your new videos!

Very similar tale to the town I live in further North up the coast, Workington. Steel works and other industries closed. The renovated town centre is boarded up or full of charity shops. Pubs and nightlife that were thriving in the 90’s are now non existent. Sad to see the decline

These chronicles are very important. There's several videos available made by people documenting the demise of small town America and the loss of what they call Mom and Pop stores (independent retailers). It's frightening. Glad I'm 68 and approaching the end of my days. The world of the future looks like a nightmare.

That was a blast from the past when you mentioned Emlyn Hughes, I remember him as one of the panelist’s on a question of sport.

👍👍👍very good to branch out into giving a summary of the history and the reasons why some places are looking grim. Very good presentation. Subscribed!

What's intriguing about Barrow-in-Furness is that in Thomas the Tank Engine, it acts as the Gateway between the Island of Sodor and the Mainland

There were more people visible going about their business in Barrow than in some of your other videos, and that besides the murals showed an energy and potential still there. Not abandoned, just down and looking to get back up.

Excellent job. I love the interview(s) with the local people.

Greetings from Dallas ... and well-done on a great video series, David! I have to concur with others ... I was highly amused by "Muriel" and immediately, my mind went to the wonderful, late "Hilda Ogden" from "Coronation Street"!

Great video, can’t believe how quickly you visited after we spoke about the place, I met a friend from there years ago and went up and visited a few times. I was saddened but not shocked about how it has gone as a town, as you say because it’s position they’re a bit isolated. Would be interested to know why so many of the properties were given the cat 1 status, were the conditions caused by building materials, nuclear waste from subs??? Cheers again for the content! 👌

Great series this. Showing what heritage and history will be lost. Barrow is not as bad as I remember it. It has been 20 years. Nice on David, keep the vids coming.

Great film and good murals and the sun was shining❤🎉

Excellent presentation - this guy has a future in reporting if that's where he wants to go. Great research and a balanced viewpoint. Subscribed!

The internet killed the town centre, Everyone orders online and gets it delivered to their door. You used to go to the ATM then spend your money now you can do it form your sofa, you also used to meet your friends to talk now you face time them. With lack of people and the costs of running a shop more will close then Amazon will have us by the balls. This is a problem UK wide.

Thanks for this. Barrow looks a lot better than I thought it would.

Your vids make me appreciate where I live. Keep up the good work.

love what u do - thank you ❤ and you have given me alot of ideas of where to move for a fresh start and lots of business ideas and location ideas - also its nice to hear the history of places from someone relatable. Cheers 😊

Emlyn Hughes was a Liverpool and England player in the 70s.. Born in Barrow in 1947 and died 2004 aged 57.. Cheers..

20% of the housing stock could kill you.... hm so I guess it'll take a bit more than a lick of paint and some new windows then. Again a great video, great commentary, really learning a lot here. (Nice Muriels too.)

Really enjoy watching your uploads, keep them coming mate! I stayed in Barrow once, booked a B & B there because it was a lot cheaper than places nearer the lake district but I could still explore the area from there. It was a nice trip except it was a bank holiday weekend and the druve up there from Cardiff took over 9 hours! 😣

You don’t realise how beautiful my town is until you visit and you get to talk to the people and look at the night life

Last year I spent a couple of days here with my family, completely by chance we had a couple of days to spare on the way back to the ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland, we had been in London and this seemed an interesting random place to stop and waste some time. We stayed in the Premier Inn right next to the town. I really liked it there, the town centre was lively with a car show in the pedestrian area, the people were all friendly and the whole area seemed nice. I do seem to remember that wetherspoons being open.

I really would love you to do the story about Horwich in Bolton,what it once was,the History for this little town is amazing,not only did Lord William lever live here,he created port sunlight on the wirral thats still stands to this day,how a suffragette burnt his house down,and how Lord Lever had gardens which are now known as the chinese gardens, were he apparently had exotic animals wandering around,and he built a pigeon tower for his wife,for certain times of the month to inhabit,and there are loads more quirky inventions like the first what we call trainers,another great video. Itsonly over the border from were you live its a 20 to 30 minutes drive go check it out,or do some research on him

Me and the wife stayed in Grange last week, then went into Barrow by train. I did virtually the same walk you did, as we went in search of where my Great Aunt Ethel once lived. We found the house in one of those side streets in a back-to-back mid-terrace. Such a shame how this once thriving town has declined.

hi Turnip - US follower here, love these videos. As you go thru your walking tour, I try to follow where you are using google earth. I can usually find a street sign in your videos or sometimes the building colors or pavement are very distinct and I can locate the area that way as well. Helps me know a little more about the locations you’re talking about, what’s near them, the geography around them.. puts things in context along with your description and background history. Super interesting vids..keep up the good work.

I like Barrow, good folk about, it is a great location, shame about pub closure especially when i campaign to keep them open. A very nice ending to the video Dave, well done pal🍺👍

Murials and Emlyn Hugh! 😂 Great video as ever though. I'd love to see you interview some experts in human geography type stuff and things like 15 minute cities etc. Would be super interesting and you'd do it in an accessible way.

I think this is the third video I've watched from this channel (after the Stoke & Bolton vids), really great stuff. I'm a Londoner living in France, had never been to some of these more northern places, makes me feel like coming back to explore them (despite the sadly faded glory). On a side note I was back in the UK about a year ago and Croydon (south London) had A LOT of boarded up shops, it was pretty shocking tbh! Cheers!

As far as I know the Shoezone in Bishop Auckland, despite a relocation and repeated announcements of closure, is still there in the town centre, which has *many* empty properties, a good number of the shops nowadays being in an edge of town development. If you come here, do a video comparing and contrasting Bishop with neighbouring Spennymoor, which has cleverly managed to get 6 supermarkets into the town centre (Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland, Home Bargains, Farmfoods).

Always a joy to watch mate - even though the subject matter us a little depressing. Check out Scarbrough! It never had heavy industry but i suppose it bloomed thanks to all the surrouNding towns in Yorkshire which did and therefore fed it tourists. I gre up there as a teen in the 90s and it was a great place to live. Now when i go back, the stunning nature is of course still there but commercially its in the pits. Apparently lowest salaries in the UK, lots of boarded up shops, tons of pound stores, al the nightclubs are closed (there were 7 or 8 in the nineties) and a very ageing population. I hardly know anyone who remained after school/uni. Its a stunning place only let down by the town centre. My mum will definitely give you an interview and some tips/insights if you need it whose family lived there for many generations.

The building being demolished 11:04 burnt down in, ahem , suspicious circumstances several years ago, only recently has the owner been brought to account. The building 11:12 is now the registration office, used to be the old technical college. My dad reckons there's damage to one of the pointy bit at the top caused by a bomb from a Stuka but I'm still yet to see it! The bakery 11:23 shut down years ago, maybe 15+. Opposite is the court but it used to be the public swimming baths until they were knocked them down and the new leisure centre opened near the park. Instantly made it difficult for anyone who travelled by public transport to go for a swim. I could go on but Wethers had not closed down, the other side of the 'windows' you saw is actually the toilets. Wethers occupies the old CO-OP department store, again must have shut down 20+ years ago. You could buy pretty much anything in there.

A very clean and tidy town. Obviously a lot of love for the town. A beautiful location. Thanks for all the history facts

Recently came across your channel. It's a real joy - keep up the good work 👏

Another great video thank you Turnip. I think you must visit Jaywick in Essex and maybe Basildon as well.

I once played a Rugby-league match against Walney Island Centra Rugby-league club in November, The temperature didn't go above freezing, and the wind chill factor off the Irish Sea made it feel even Colder, Luckily we won ,Saddleworth Rangers, Thomas Cook went bankrupt in 2019, and all there shop's closed also.

A brilliant wee video. Barrow is a very unique place, as you say dominated by the huge shipyard and in the past the steelworks. Friendliest people you will ever meet. Did you get to Barrow Island… there are some amazing sandstone tenements, known locally as the ‘scotch flats’ built to house shipyard workers, skilled men, many of whom came from Clydeside. The tenements were built to resemble those in Glasgow so the workers felt at home. A proper town.

If you want to visit a forgotten seaside town, come to Sheerness! Once was a bustling seaside destination and it’s been absolutely destroyed by lack of funding and everything being shut down. One of the most deprived areas in Kent.

Try Hastings. Fastest increase in buy-to-let properties in England and Airbnb. However, the prices may soon collapse due to higher interest rates and changes to the law on such properties for landlords. The town has a homeless population and all the problems associated.

I have enjoyed your content for some time now, you have such natural delivery and a keen interest which makes it a real pleasure to watch. You should visit Bishop Auckland in County Durham, we have quite a rich history, (Binchester Roman Fort, Bishop's Palace and recently an open air show Kynren), the high street in Bishop or Bish Vegas as it's known locally, has been dead for years however, such a shame as it was once a thriving town.

Another great one, I really enjoyed that, thanks Dave

Very interesting never knew a thing about Barrow. Didn’t even though there is a seaside there. Looks a nice area just sad about the closures. Thanks for sharing.

Down South I would suggest Croydon. Quite significant decline there over the last 10-15 years

Never been to barrow but it’s like everywhere else my town near lot of places shops pet shops etc left empty I think it’s the same all over the place people haven’t got the money now since everything went up massively we can’t afford anything Like watching your videos interesting thank you keep making them love it

Another great video. Your mum is in Ambleside... but is she called Muriel😂 I love the honesty, the facts, and your humour. Please keep these videos coming. They are so watchable 👍

I have fond memories of making frequent trips to visit family in Barrow in Furness when I was young. Was such a nice town a decade ago and sad to see how much it has fallen from grace.

Muriel is a girls name. A Mural is a piece or graphic art work normally applied to a wall or ceiling, it is usually painted on.

Great video. Amazing amount of information in this one and it's wonderful that there's some hope, even if some of it does come from BAE Systems.

Love your channel . Made me smile when you referred to the murals as Muriel’s 😜

8:40 9:10 Muriels 😁 Love it! That's my granny's name 😂 She loved Hilda Ogden being so proud of her "muriel" in Corrie - lmao. Great vlog 👍

Never been to Barrow but you sold it well 🎉

So much for levelling up .

Just watched this after your London video… this is nuts!

I spent the first 20 years of my life in Barrow. It was never a beautiful town but it's sad to see the state of the town centre now.