A CITY leader has hailed Carlisle a 'growing city' after the announcement of the arrival of the new Home Bargains store takes the city council owned retail park Gateway 44 to full occupancy.

The 42,300 sq ft Carlisle City Council owned development is now 100% occupied.

THE news of the opening bucks the trend for retail on Carlisle's High Street still suffering the effects of Covid 19 lockdown and the cost of living crisis.

The letting to Home Bargains alongside other retailers, will bring a unique blend of value and quality to customers in the area.

Other occupiers at this development include Wren Kitchens, Costa Coffee, Connection Flooring and Bedworld. 

Gateway 44 is prominently located, immediately adjoining junction 44 of the M6, and is a natural extension of the popular Kingstown Retail Park, with nearby existing retailers including Asda, M&S Food Hall, Currys PC World and Next.

The success of the retail park with free parking and affordable shops shows how adaptable the retail park is to the cost of living crisis as shoppers hunt out more bargains at competitive prices. 

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, said the full occupancy is a realisation of the ambition to provide a wider retail offering to Carlisle residents which has quickly become a highly successful business model. 

He said: “Carlisle is a growing city and this new development will create more jobs and will provide a boost to the local economy. We encourage other retailers and businesses to invest in Carlisle.

“The city has a lot to offer and is an ideal location for established and new businesses.

“Gateway 44 was developed and funded by the City Council at a cost of £5.5m and was completed in January 2021, following a 10 month construction period.

"The site has quickly become the city’s premier out of town retail park.”

READ MORE : Major retail chain set to create 51 new jobs with new Carlisle store

Home Bargains took occupation of the site in October 2022 and have been busy fitting out the building ready for their store opening on Saturday 11 February 2023.