Business park is boost to economy

Areas of the waterfront that are being developed

The first phase of a redeveloped dockland business park in Cumbria has added more than £3m to the local economy since October.

Barrow's Ramsden Business Park has already created 30 jobs and will be home to 1,500 workers when the £200m project is completed.

Regeneration agency West Lakes Renaissance said the scheme had proved a success with local businesses.

Cumbria County Council purchased the site from Associated British Ports.

Dennis Laird, Ramsden Business Park project manager for West Lakes Renaissance, said: "This will have a significant impact on Barrow's economy by creating 1,500 new jobs."

Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for economic development, added: "The pace of development at the business park has been impressive.

"Ramsden Business Park is important because it is the first phase of the overall Waterfront Business Park development, which we expect to be a powerhouse of commercial growth for Barrow and South West Cumbria."