The future of Carlisle’s high street has come under the spotlight at a City Council meeting. 

A report by the director of economic development at Carlisle City Council, Jane Meek, on the Greenmarket and Market Square plan has highlighted that retail alone is no longer the future of the City Centre.

In what is being seen as a battle to preserve the future of Carlisle as a tourism/retail/cultural and shopping destination councillors have been urged to 'think out of the box' in attracting more visitors. 

Discussions have included the exciting new Citadel campus aimed at bringing in thousands of students coming to study, live, and spend their money in Carlisle. 

The report presented to councillors underlined the danger posted to High Street independent retailers and big brands from online shopping which has forced Debenhams and the Arcadia Group to close in cities including Carlisle.

Carlisle City Councillors also discussed the potential of re-using the dormant Debenhams building to serve as a possible leisure or community destination.

Jane Meek’s report describes the future of the high street moving to leisure and comfort, with retail taking a more boutique approach as a visitor. attraction,

The report also flagged up an opportunity for Carlisle to become a 'more fluid city centre' containing 'unique businesses'.

Speaking on the issue, Mike Mitchelson, the mayor of Carlisle, said: “We need to encourage smaller shops to create a more niche market, lumped together with looking at the entire centre to make it an experience to come to Carlisle.

“I believe in having entertainment and music to create a vibrant atmosphere, and more events in the city centre like the Christmas market, because that has a proven track record of bringing in visitors and locals.”

He also supported pedestrianising traffic-congested retail areas like Bank Street, English Street and Devonshire Street.

Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, commented: “City and town centres now and moving forward need a great leisure offer alongside a retail mix if they’re to thrive.

“Retail on its own isn’t, or is only exceptionally, enough.

“Getting more people living, working, and studying in the city centre is important too and really adds to the vibrancy and spending in both leisure and retail businesses.

“I’d see this as a further development on from where we are rather than a drastic change.

“The University of Cumbria development is a tremendous opportunity for Carlisle, and we have real potential that can be exploited to attract and benefit from more visitors.

“For example, the Castle and Cathedral, an attractive town centre, our Roman history and proximity to Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle’s position close to the Lakes and more.”

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