ALL CHANGE IN BARROW HIGH STREET
Elsewhere on the site you can read about Harris’ Garage
closing, following Don Mitchell’s retirement. As Alan Willcocks
says in his article, it is great that closures and moves are
being made for positive reasons. ‘Know How’s computer business
outgrew their premises and they have moved into Loughborough.
Barrow Parish Council has established an office and meeting
room in their old premises. ‘Frame It’ has also moved to a
larger shop (the old launderette) and locals and visitors
alike are drawn to its attractive windows. Their previous
shop is now Jane Gilks hairdressers. In turn ‘Eyecare’ has
established a local optician’s service in Jane’s old salon.
The Alliance & Leicester agency has moved up to opposite
the old Barrow News building. The latter is now offices upstairs
and a facility for meeting and training for hire downstairs.
The shop until recently occupied by Wartburgs is currently
empty and we look forward to a new venture taking over.
Another
retirement is David Mills and his wife who ran Barrow Hardware
on Warner Street. They provided a friendly and helpful service
since before I came to the village and we wish them a happy
retirement. I have to say my favourite shop on the High Street
is Sylvias the florist at number 17 - I know the number as
I sometimes get her post by mistake. Entering her shop is
like looking into a jewel box - brilliant colours, gorgeous
blooms ranging from the natural to the exotic. Do you have
a favourite shop in Barrow or a local shopping story of friendliness
or exemplary service? Drop us a line or log on to the website
and let us know.
EDITORIAL - WHEN CALM BECOMES STOP
The County Council is currently asking for views on the effectiveness
of Barrow’s traffic calming measures on High Street and North
Street. But the questions it is asking have been meaningless
over the past few weeks. The flooding in the Soar Valley on
a very regular basis this winter followed by the closure of
the bridge on the A60 has meant near grid lock both in and
out of the village at peak times. Speed has not been the issue
but congestion and pollution have.
It is great to see the High Street thriving with new and
expanding businesses but how much more pleasant it would be
to shop and stop for a chat with friends without the constant
passing, and recently queuing traffic and the resultant pollution.
There is no easy answer. People need to get to work and school
and they will understandably take the shortest route. We have
removed the lorries which used to thunder through Barrow but
can we reduce the cars to make it a pleasanter place to live?
If you have a view, please let us know.
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