Carlisle will be able to have a business improvement district following a vote.
Cumberland Council has declared the results of the ballot, which ran between October 31 and November 27.
A total of 234 votes were cast in the postal ballot, with 128 in favour of the scheme.
Two ballot papers were rejected as they were unsigned.
It means the proposal to create Carlisle Business Improvement District will go ahead and will be in place over a five-year period between February 1 2026 and January 31 2031.
The ballot was administered by UK Engage on behalf of Cumberland Council.
For the BID to proceed, it needed to secure a majority of votes both by number and rateable value.
The BID area covers the urban area of Carlisle, incorporating the urban wards of Belah, Stanwix Urban, Botcherby, Harraby North, Harraby South, Upperby, Currock, Denton Holme, Castle, Morton, Yewdale and Belle Vue.
The BID area also incorporates parts of the Houghton and Irthington, Wetheral and Dalston and Burgh wards that lie closest to the urban area.
Cumberland Council and the Cumberland BID Company are now responsible for implementing the BID arrangements.
The council’s responsibility includes managing the billing, collecting the levy and holding the levy in a ring-fenced revenue account on behalf of the BID body.
Last month, city firms rallied behind its creation.
Carlisle BID will focus on:
- Animation: developing and delivering an annual programme of festivals, public art, and cultural events to boost footfall and civic pride.
- Marketing: developing and delivering strategic campaigns to position Carlisle as a destination for tourism, investment, and talent.
- Supporting businesses: developing and delivering tailored services for start-ups and SMEs, including training, networking, and advocacy.
- Improving livability: developing and delivering projects to enhance public spaces, safety, and wellbeing to attract and retain skilled workers.
