A MULTI-MILLION pound investment for projects to support high street businesses and the local economy was announced this week.

Carlisle is set to receive £9.1 million government funding through the Future High Streets Fund.

The news has been welcomed by the city's politicians and leaders, particularly given the economic impacts that have been caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The city's MP, John Stevenson, suggested that good times are on the way for Carlisle.

He said: "It's very welcome news, but it shouldn't be seen in isolation. It's part of a wider package of things that are going on for Carlisle, but this is an important part of that.

"It's going into the high street which, as we all know, has been badly affected by the pandemic. This will go some way to helping the high street.

"The city centre is still an intricate part of the community. It's important that something is done to help it recover and change - the high street will be very different place than it used to be, but it can still be a vibrant, interesting place to visit.

"High streets were already changing, but the pandemic has accelerated that change."

Mr Stevenson has now represented Carlisle for 11 years, and in recent years he has been joined by new Conservative colleagues across the county, defecting from the Labour.

There have been many promises to "level up" areas that had long been left behind economically - and the Carlisle MP believes the city can be an example of what can be done.

He continued: "Carlisle I think is about to go through a purple patch. There's a lot of investment coming down the track to Carlisle in the next few years.

"When I first got elected, I said Carlisle punched above its weight - but that's starting to change.

"It's a far more significant centre now, thanks to things like the Borderlands deal. Its profile has been raised.

"I think Carlisle is a very good example of what levelling up can do. I've been in office for 11 years, but our agenda is spreading. It's attracting a lot of interest and investment.

"I live here, I have got an interest in what's going on. It's my city and I want to see it succeed."

Carlisle City Councillors have also welcomed the news - of course, the council is also controlled by the Conservative Party.

Cllr John Mallinson, Leader of Carlisle City Council believed the money would help the city bounce back.

He said: “The funding offer will help Carlisle bounce back from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This funding adds to the significant investment already committed through the Towns Deal Fund, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.

“2021 is set to be a landmark year for investment in Carlisle.”

The funding is part of the Government’s plan to create thousands of jobs in a range of industries across England, and was announced prior to the pandemic.

Cllr Paul Nedved, Economy, enterprise and housing portfolio holder at Carlisle City Council, was delighted with the news

He said: “We will use this funding opportunity to help transform the high street, encouraging greater evening activity and renewing Carlisle city centre as a place to live and work.

“We look forward to working to putting the funding into action.”

The Future High Streets Fund was launched in December 2018. Its aim is to renew and reshape town centres and high streets to drive growth, as well as improving experience and ensuring future sustainability.

In March, the projects set to be financed by the multi-million pound Future High Streets Fund investment package have been chosen.

The projects that will be carried out using the funding include £4.7m of repurposing works on the site of the former Central Plaza Hotel on Victoria Viaduct, in order to allow for the site to be redeveloped.

Demolition of the former hotel was completed early last year, after the crumbling building was deemed unsafe.

It was confirmed on Boxing Day that Carlisle was set to receive £9.1m in Government investment, as part of its Future High Streets Fund scheme, which seeks to inject cash into projects across England that will help boost the economic development of town and city centres.

This £9.1m was in addition to the £1m in accelerated funding, provided in a Government bid to help kickstart economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This £1m is funding works on the Caldew Riverside site, close to Victoria Viaduct, which has long been unused land.

The £850,000 preparation works being carried out on this site will then allow the area to be developed for housing.

A further £150,000 of accelerated funding is also financing the development of a temporary hub in Bitts Park for use by small businesses and artists.

From the main £9.1m Future High Streets Fund allocation, a total of £4,749,645 will go towards the Central Plaza works, with a further £2,381,768 funding a "re-imagination" of the city centre Green Market and Market Square areas. Another £1,133,473 will go towards the renovation of empty properties on Castle Street, and £490,928 will fund improvements for pedestrians along Devonshire Street.

In total, 72 English high streets will share over £830 million, with 57 of these areas, including Carlisle, announced today.

Other areas in Cumbria are also in line to benefit from the fund - Allerdale had a successful bid for funding. Maryport was awarded £11.53 million as part of the Future High Streets Fund.

Allerdale Borough Council had applied for £16m for Maryport, which would have been used to fund a multimillion-pound revamp.

The plans include the regeneration of the Christ Church, Carlton Cinema and Empire Yard, as well as an overhaul of The Wave Centre.

The council asked for government funding of £4.2m for the redevelopment of The Wave Centre, £3.6m for landscaping and pedestrian improvements in the town centre, £2.3m for the Carlton Cinema, £2.1m for Empire Yard and £1.2m for Christ Church.

It also asked for £2.9m towards the conversion of retail units into apartments.

However, not everywhere was so lucky - in December Copeland withdrew its bid for a cut of the £1 billion fund.

The decision came following after the council had difficulties amending the initial bid for a multi-million-pound grant.