It's a hidden empty cellar that most travellers using Carlisle railway station know nothing about.

But plans have emerged for not one - but two ways to utilise this subterranean space - known as the undercroft - for something special for the city.

Moves are underway to turn it into a brand new arts venue.

And suggestions have been made that it could be the setting for a railway museum.

The undercroft, tucked below platform one, currently stands empty.

But it has recently been used to house performances and art exhibitions by students from the University of Cumbria.

Former student Kimberley Watkin, 22, is now hoping to turn the undercroft into a permanent multi-use space.

She said: “In 2015 I was production manager for a performance that was taking place in the Undercroft.

“A year after that project, the station manager was contacting me to say that other people were asking about using the space themselves but he couldn't keep up with the inquiries.”

Kimberley has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £7,000.

The money would be used to take the first steps into transforming the undercroft into a permanent fixture.

“In April I was given £4,600 in funding for young entrepreneurs,” Kimberley explained.

“That's helped me to become a tenant of the Undercroft. It's leased by Virgin Trains from Network Rail and then I lease it from Virgin Trains.”

Kimberley, a former University of Cumbria student who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, has moved back to Carlisle to take on the project.

“At the moment it's just me,” she said. “I'd love to have a team behind me but I simply can't afford it at the minute.”

However, there has been a great deal of interest from other organisations and Kimberley says she has big plans for how the space can be used.

“I don't want to change too much,” she said.

“But what it needs is electricity and running water, as well as proper ventilation. Other things that go in, like the toilet, I would like to be in keeping with what it's already like.

“There's been interest from the Railway Heritage Trust and Arts Council England.

"I've had meetings with architects down in Penrith and they're excited by what I've got planned.

“One of the things I'd like to include is a removable dancefloor as well as lighting and sound as well."

She added: “The Undercroft is 66m by 11.5m.

“Everyone that I've taken down there to show them has said 'wow' and been amazed by what a great space it is – and that's before I've even done anything.”

Carlisle businessman Steve Matthews has also spoken in favour of creating a museum underneath the station that would celebrate Carlisle's railway heritage.

He said Tullie House museum and Carlisle City Council are both involved in the plans.

He added: “We would like to start a Carlisle-Settle railway museum and Carlisle would be the best place to have it.”

Mr Matthews added: “The building is there and it is possible to create something.

"We have got something special here, we should make something special out of it.”

Kimberley said she has already spoken to members of the railway group.

“It's something that we're looking at as part of the project,” she added.

“We want to make sure that it can be used for lots of different things.

"We've even had people interested in using the undercroft as a wedding venue. There's definitely the the scope for having museum days.”

It is the latest ambitious plan for the city, focusing on attractions such as the arts.

Carlisle-based architect Malcolm Wilson is also hoping to create a brand new cultural space, built entirely from shipping containers.

His idea is based on a similar project in Glasgow, which has become a popular venue for vintage markets, art exhibitions, pop up shops, large scale events, street food markets and music and theatre productions.