A launch date has been given for a highly anticipated cultural and creative courtyard in Carlisle.

The new courtyard at Bitts Park in Carlisle, called Tribe Carlisle, will officially open to the public on Saturday August 28.

Built from shipping containers, the courtyard aims to showcase a range of local companies and fuse “concepts of the modern street market and independent retail”.

Chair of the Carlisle Labour Party and Carlisle City Council Shadow Portfolio Holder for Culture Leisure and Heritage, Jo Ellis-Willaims, said she was concerned that the project hadn’t opened earlier.

“We know that we’re very weather reliant and holiday reliant,” said cllr Ellis-Williams.

“People are staying home this summer and I would have thought it would have been open much sooner.”

Conservative Carlisle City Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Culture Leisure and Heritage, Stephen Higgs, said: “Anyone who is running a business at the moment knows that there are unfortunately delays with supplies for all sorts of reasons.

“That’s the only reason that it’s going to be opening in late August rather than early August as we had originally hoped.

“I think it’s going to provide a really good green house, where businesses with small beginnings can grow in a slightly protected environment with a lower rent and help with services.

“The ultimate aim is that people who occupy a unit for a few months get to a point where their business model is working and then we’ll do our best to move them to a more permanent site.”

Containers are set to be occupied by street food venders and bars, including The Tasty Greek, Beirut Bites, Pokey Parlour, Bella Tacos, Sissy That Print, Love Dough, and Tribe Bar.

In response to cllr Ellis-Williams’ fears that the courtyard had left it too late to open, a spokesperson from Tribe said: "We are still on track to open in Summer as anticipated, we’re all really excited. There is a great mix of start-up tenants who are currently fitting their units, and the community project is progressing well."

Tribe Manager, Emmanuel Lorenzana, said: “It’s an exciting time for Carlisle, Tribe will bring a new energy and new opportunities to the city and create a safe, creative space for all ages to flourish and socialise.

“We’re also keeping one space as a pop-up destination, which we will be able to offer to businesses for a weekly rate, so get in touch if you’ve got a business idea and want to join a progressive and like-minded community to make it happen.”

Tickets for the launch event of Tribe Carlisle on Friday August 27 are now available.

Visit the Tribe Carlisle Facebook page for updates, or check out their website for more details.