BAE Systems’ plans to use the former Debenhams in Barrow as a learning facility have been given the go ahead.
Westmorland and Furness Council has approved plans from the defence firm to use the former department store on Portland Walk as a replica facility to those the company uses to build submarines.
The aim of the proposed Portland Walk Campus Hall would be to create an environment which replicated the Central Yard Facility and Devonshire Dock Hall among other on-site facilities.
It will consist of simulated environments for physical work tasks, workshop and machinery areas, meeting rooms, offices, demonstration areas as well as a virtual reality delivery area amongst other sections.
Plans said: “The project vision is to increase the capacity and capability of a growing workforce through knowledge transfer and experiential learning within a purpose-designed facility.”
The proposed campus hall will allow all employees, including early careers and those new to submarines, to experience more realistically the operations and functions the company employs throughout the business.
“The design of the PWC Hall allows everyone using the facility to relate back to the product and have a physical and visual connection to what BAE Systems does – builds submarines”, the firm said.
A report by council planning officers said the continued disuse of the building could have negative impacts on the town centre and the way Barrow was perceived.
The report added: “The design approach to the Portland Walk frontage seeks to retain and enhance the main architectural features of the former retail store.
“Elsewhere opportunities will be taken to repair, refurbish and refresh architectural features across the building.
“However, the main benefit for the town centre will be achieved by securing a vibrant and intensive utilisation of the whole building by BAE and the subsequent increase in footfall with an estimate of 650 people using the building on a regular basis.”
Debenhams closed its doors in 2021 before it was bought by the defence company in 2022 alongside several other empty shops.
This formed part of plans from BAE to create a town centre location to develop its educational facilities in a project known as the Portland Walk Campus.
The conversion of the former Debenhams would represent stage three of the campus, with phases one and two either complete or under construction.
