The UK comics sector has marked a significant milestone with the announcement of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria as the UK’s first-ever Comic Book Town. This landmark year-long initiative, led by Comic Book UK partner The Lakes International Comic Arts Foundation (LICAF), showcases the power of comics to drive regional success, support literacy and strengthen community engagement.
The announcement coincides with the National Year of Reading, emphasising how comics are a vital, accessible, and transformative art form that belongs everywhere – from schools and libraries to local businesses.
Julie Tait, Founder and Festival Director at LICAF, said “We are thrilled to announce Barrow as the UK’s first Comic Book Town. We have pushed this initiative forward in recognition of our town’s love of comics, but also to reflect the growing importance of comics in creativity, literacy and education in the UK.”
The project demonstrates how comics communities can flourish across the UK, bringing real value and cultural diversity to local areas. Comics involve a combination of storytelling, design and creative skills, making them a useful entry point for wider careers in the creative industries.
To launch the initiative, the town is being ‘flooded’ with comics in various locations, including many donated by CBUK members. This success in Cumbria is poised to serve as a blueprint for other places across the UK to become Comic Book Towns, further cementing the sector’s role in contributing to the UK economy and opening up commercial opportunities.
The Lakes International Comic Arts Foundation (LICAF) encourages local people and fans to follow the campaign via their social media pages and website: https://licaf.co.uk/.
Partners in the Comic Book Town initiative include:
– Westmorland and Furness Council
– Barrowfull
– Barrow BID
– Booktastic
– Barrow Library
– Comic Book UK
– Forbidden Planet
– The Beano
– The Phoenix
– Shift
– Fanfare UK
– Faber&Faber
– Soaring Penguin
