Plans for a five year "hub" providing low-cost Carlisle city centre space to start-up businesses have taken a step forward, with an aim to have the site up and running this summer.

Carlisle City Council's development control committee gave the go-ahead on Friday for plans to create a "hub" of small units for use by start-up businesses as well as local artists and performers in Bitts Park.

The plans, which were drawn up by the city council and funded through the Government's Towns Fund investment programme, aim to provide a space for local businesses and to "test out new ideas and concepts" in an affordable setting, as well as a site local residents can use as a "launch pad" for businesses or creative enterprises.

The city council hopes to have the site open by the end of June, and it is envisaged that local start-ups will occupy the "container" units on a short-term basis before moving on to more permanent locations, once more established.

Jane Meek, the city council's corporate director of economic development, explained to the development control committee on Friday that there is already "demand" from people keen to occupy the site.

"This is a good way of starting these businesses, enabling them to get a foot on the ladder," she said.

Planning officer Stephen Daniel added that the site is not designed to compete with the established city centre high street.

"The units will be used as a launch pad for businesses who do not have the finances or experience to occupy units in the city centre," he explained.

"Experience from elsewhere has shown that a number of these businesses grow and expand, and move onto larger premises in the local area."

Mr Daniel also said that the hub will also provide "a creative space for local artists and performers to showcase their work, as well as providing a safe venue for children and families, both during the day and in the early evening".

Local charities will also be able to make use of the venue for free, and tenants will be encouraged to make a "social commitment" to dedicate some time each week to good causes.

The hub will be located on the site of the former high ropes course and climbing wall, which is currently occupied by portacabins in connection with improvement works to the flood defences around Bitts Park.

The containers within which each tenant will be housed are planned to range in size, and it is envisaged that they will attract a range of uses, including a cafe, street food units, a bar, retail units, makers' space, and a wellbeing unit.

Toilets will be located and managed on site, open from 8am until 10pm.

The Bitts Park project attracted £150,000 in accelerated funding from the Government's £3.6bn Towns Fund investment pot, as part of a bid to encourage projects that could promote economic recovery following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Carlisle attracted a further £850,000 from this accelerated funding to fund site remediation works at Caldew Riverside, close to Victoria Viaduct, in order to prepare the area for the development of housing.