Part of a Carlisle car park is set to be transformed into a multi-million-pound entertainment venue if plans get the go ahead.
An application has been submitted to transform part of Lowther Street car park into Stack Carlisle – offering entertainment, food and drink in a village made up of around 50 shipping containers with a retractable glass roof which will house five bars, 10 street food outlets, a central plaza with a balcony and a stage area for live music.
Danieli Group, which is behind the plans, estimates it will create around 160 jobs.
The Stack brand is already well established, opening Stack Newcastle in 2018, followed by Stack Seaburn at Sunderland.
Danieli Group said: “Both have been very successful with more than 4.5 million people in total visiting both North East sites. The hope now is to recreate that success in Carlisle, with a complex which will not only provide a wide range of leisure options for local residents but also provide visitors from the wider area with an attractive food and drink offer.”
Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli Group, said: “Stack is a fast growing brand which has a proven track record in creating venues which have something for everyone and will bring a real boost to the area. We are very excited about coming to Carlisle and creating a really unique experience for the people who live there.”
Max Connon, of Daniel Johnston – which owns the car park site – added: “Stack Carlisle will be a major coup for the city. It is a much needed development that ticks all the boxes. It will regenerate the high street giving Lowther Street, which is littered with empty shops, renewed purpose.
“It will boost both the day and night time economy, drawing people into the city which will support surrounding businesses and encourage further inward investment.”
If planning permission is given the green light, the aim is for the site to be open by late summer 2023, the firm said.
It is the fourth site which has been announced by the Danieli Group as part of its expansion plans for the brand, with Stack Lincoln recently announced as well as Stack Bishop Auckland and Stack Durham.