Barrow Royal Town: Official application submitted to King Charles

Simon Fell, the MP for Barrow and Furness, released an emotional video outlining the reasons for the campaign as the application was sent to the Cabinet Office for review by His Majesty the King.

Having launched the campaign in 2023, the MP said following Barrow’s celebration of 150 years of naval shipbuilding, it was more than time that the town received royal status.

The campaign has since garnered support from the former Lord Lieutenant, BAE, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cando FM, the Rotary Club.

READ MORE: Meet the Barrow shipbuilder who set the course for town’s Royal status

The Mail also threw its support behind the campaign as well as many local businesses, arts and community groups.

Mr Fell wrote to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asking for his support for the Royal Barrow campaign.

The MP emphasised the town’s history and the pivotal part it has played in the UK’s industrial and maritime achievements.

The Prime Minister attested to the town’s ‘long and proud history of shipbuilding’ and its contribution to the ‘continued protection of our shores and those of our allies’.

The MP believes that as Barrow & Furness enters a new chapter with the AUKUS partnership, and with the town being the backbone for the delivery of the next generation on attack submarines for the US and Australia, it is time Barrow gets Royal recognition.

Mr Fell added: “The support for this campaign from the public, and organisations from Barrow, across Furness, and far further afield too has been overwhelming.

“People recognise what a unique place Barrow is, and the role that it has played in the UK’s history, and have spoken passionately about why it deserves recognition.

“I am delighted to be able to put forward such a strong submission, backed by local people who are proud about the place they call home.

“Now that the formal submission for the Royal Barrow campaign has officially been put in, I wait with baited breath to hear the verdict from the Cabinet Office and His Majesty the King.

“Barrow is on the precipice of something important, and on the back of Team Barrow and AUKUS, it is the right time to seek Royal Town status and get the recognition that Barrow deserves for the invaluable security it has provided to both the UK and our allies around the world.”

The video shows pivotal moments in the town’s rich history

Footage shows the late Queen Elizabeth II attending the launch of the UK’s first nuclear-powered submarine – HMS Dreadnought.

Former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill can also be seen in 1912 visiting the Shipyard.

The video then goes on to present day Prime Ministers and politicians discussing Barrow’s contribution to national security including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

He described what ‘what they do in Barrow’ as ‘breathtaking’.

Support from local organisations are also shown such as from Barrow Business Improvement District, The Festival of Transport and Barrow AFC.

There are also words from the president of the president of the Rotary Club of Furness Brian Boyd, who was instrumental in bringing the campaign to Simon Fell to take under his wing. 

He said: “I think Barrow should be a Royal Town because the people have invested in it and I think the town deserves it.”