CARLISLE'S increased growth agenda continues to progress as businesses announce expansion plans and housing projects move forward all at a time when a ‘transformative’ city centre plan remains on track.

This week, it was announced the city’s new university campus was on track to be complete by 2026 despite 'significant inflationary pressures'.

The project will see the redevelopment of the city’s two Grade-I listed Citadel rotundas, coming in at a £78m cost – of which £55.2m has come from the Borderland Inclusive Growth Deal.

The campus will look to revitalise the city centre’s ‘high street’ area.

The current ‘high street’ is constantly having to adapt to new shopping trends, as seen with the closure of Debenhams.

Last year, there were 34 fewer shops on the city’s high street than in 2020.

£2.7m however, has been allocated from the Government’s ‘Future High Streets Fund’, which aims to deliver a reimagined public square, encouraging visitors to stay longer in the city centre.

A drive towards more of a 'night-time economy' within the city centre is on the horizon and has been labelled a must by business leaders. 

A local restauranteur described Carlisle's restaurant scene as 'everyone fighting for a piece of the pie'. 

Speaking recently, Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria's Chamber of Commerce said 'the city is headed in the right direction'.

"Developments like those coming through from the university and recent city centre living developments will both support and need this.

"We also hope to see more residential developments in the city centre, which will be great for both the night-time economy and retail offer," she said. 

Evidence of an adapating 'high street' has been shown by councillors agreeing to approve plans to bring the multi-million pound STACK to the city centre.

Recently, plans have also been submitted for a new restaurant in the city centre, a wine bar and also an announcement to expand The Halston Hotel.

Outside of the city centre, business and housing growth continues.

Earlier this year, retail park Gateway 44 announced a full occupancy rate and Lloyd’s Motor Group also announced expansion plans – creating 20 jobs in the process.

It all comes at a time when the delivery of housing in Carlisle grows at an exponential rate, particularly with the major 10,000 home housing development, St Cuthbert’s Garden Village - which will be benefitted by the £226m Carlisle Southern Link Road Project.

There is a catch however, Ms Caldwell said there is already a ‘desperate shortage’ within the county of those working, particularly within hospitality and social care.

“It’s clear, not just from our research but from a range of research and data, that we have a desperate shortage of people in Cumbria.

“If demand in hospitality appears to have eased off a bit it’s because people have reduced their opening hours and services because it’s so hard to get staff.

“This reduces their opportunities to profitable and to grow and impacts on the experience for our visitors - and for residents,” she said.