The recent announcement of the forthcoming closure of the House of Fraser store has highlighted again the challenges for Carlisle city centre – not least with both Debenhams and the Hoopers/Bullough’s store remaining empty.
Hopefully though this opens up though an opportunity for redevelopment of the building into largely residential premises, which would have a positive impact.
You only have to look at the nearby Bordo Lounge to see the positive effect of change of use away from retail.
What an impact on the feel of the Market Square that development has had!
And it’s easy to forget the positives in the pipeline elsewhere.
Two, very significant, examples are the University of Cumbria developments.
One of these is the Citadel Campus, transforming the area around, and incorporating, the Citadel and bringing real vibrancy, vitality and, not least, footfall.
Then within walking distance will be the new medical school, with similarly positive impact.
Another is the STACK development proposed for Lowther Street, establishing a vibrant food, drink and entertainment venue and significantly enhancing that part of the city centre.
It’s a model proven elsewhere, and again should have a wider positive impact.
And it’s just the sort of development we need to complement and support the university developments and continuing development of high quality residential opportunities in the city centre, such as the continuing redevelopment around Portland Square.
All in all the future’s looking really bright for Carlisle and we all need to get behind developments such as these and make sure that future becomes a reality.
