Custom House, Barrow-in-Furness facts for kids
The Custom House in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England is a historic building that used to be a government office. It was where officials handled customs for goods coming into and leaving the Ports of Barrow and Lancaster. Think of customs as a kind of tax or fee on items traded between countries.
The building was first built as a hotel around 1870. But its most important job began in 1880. That's when it became the Custom House, helping to manage trade from the Port of Lancaster.
What is the Custom House?
The Custom House is a four-storey building. It stands on a busy corner where Abbey Road and Hindpool Road meet. Its design is called the Italianate style. This means it looks a bit like old Italian palaces, with grand features and often tall windows.
In 1976, the Custom House was given a special status. It became a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. At that time, it was being used as a social club.
From Customs to Fun!
Today, the Custom House has changed again. It's no longer a customs office or a social club. Instead, it has been updated to hold several fun places. You can find different restaurants and entertainment spots inside. One popular place is LazerZone, where people can play laser tag games.
