The prominent ‘Occasions’ shop in Carlisle city centre is to close down next month.

The former ‘Paperchase’ site on English street in Carlisle is next to Lakeland Leather and Hays Travel on English Street in the city.

The closure of the store comes at a time of a sharp rise in the cost-of-living for both households and business with this year predicted to be tough for retailers.

‘Occasions’, which is part of the Gift Company business, sells a range of gifts, homeware, furniture and reed diffusers.

The shop will be closing on Thursday, February 2 and a closing down sale is now underway with items’ prices reduced as part of the clearance.

There are no plans to open a new store in the city and the nearest shop will now be just north of the border in Gretna.

 Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of commerce said: “We’re not aware of the specific circumstances.

"However given the significant challenges that have been facing the retail sector for some years now and the general business challenges around the economy, staffing and costs of doing business it’s not a surprise and it’s likely that a number of other retailers are looking at how and if they can continue.”

Meanwhile the News & Star understands that Millets, on English Street in Carlisle, is going to close because of the new University of Cumbria Citadel Campus.

There is no set date for the closure revealed yet, but a spokesperson from JD, which owns Millets, said: "We can confirm that Millets on English Street in Carlisle will move to a new unit on the same street later this year.

Millets said they did not know where the new store will be yet.

The shop sells outdoor clothing and equipment and is part of a chain across the country.

Carlisle City Council’s development panel met during the summer last year, unanimously voting to approve the redevelopment of the Grade I listed Citadel buildings into a state-of-the-art University of Cumbria campus with a shared public realm.

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