AS 2023 draws to a close and the city is experiencing major changes to one of its key landmarks, further plans are underway for more exciting projects in Carlisle going into 2024 and beyond.

One of the most major developments in the city is the long-term rejuvenation of the station and surrounding areas, called the Station Gateway project by Cumberland Council.

It involves a plethora of demolition jobs, redoing the roads to make them safer, and constructing a square at the back of the station to be used as a larger car park.

The initiative, part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, aims to rejuvenate both Carlisle city centre and the broader Borderlands region.

Significant activity is underway at the junctions of Currock Street, James Street, Water Street and Rome Street, and contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering has begun the demolition of the vacant Staples building near Matalan.

The upcoming phase includes the demolition of The Pools, which is scheduled to start in early January.

To accommodate the works, the footway near The Pools area at the top of James Street will temporarily close from Monday, January 8, 2024. 

We’re also still waiting for STACK, a complex of shipping container-styled businesses that would appear to be in a similar, though more advanced, vein as what was known as Tribe, that was in Bitts Park but sadly ended soon after its beginning.

It is proposed that STACK Carlisle will be located at the car park in Lowther Street, at the site of the former Her Majesty’s Theatre, and the multifunctional food and drink leisure entertainment venue will consist of 50 shipping containers.

STACK, which runs highly successful similar schemes in the northeast, announced late last year its plan to use the containers to create a complex which will have five bars, 10 street food outlets, a central plaza with a balcony and stage - all covered by a glass framed roof.

If licensing permission is granted it is hoped that the multi-million pound container village will open its doors next year and create a new and exciting chapter for leisure in the city.

When planning permission was granted Neill Winch, CEO of STACK, said he was delighted with the decision which would lead to STACK Carlisle opening in 2024, but we will wait and see when exactly in the year it will be.

Another long term project sure to see progress in 2024 is the construction of the new campus for the University of Cumbria.

The Citadel campus will be in the city centre, near the station, and will aim to make use of the Citadel buildings for a fully-functioning full-time campus.

It will ultimately end up bringing in more students to the city, and will likely shape our leisure and retail offerings for the years ahead after its construction.

On the topic of leisure in the city, plans are in place for a new brewery to open in Carlisle.

Plans seek to change the use of the former Twisted Wheel, which has been empty for 15 years, to host a bar, microbrewery and visitor centre as part of West Walls Brewing Co's ambitions to bring a new chapter to Carlisle's beer-making legacy. 

West Walls Brewing Co is a joint venture between The Halston and Borderlands Brewery. 

Those behind the project aim to have the new brewery open in time for summer next year. 

The official opening date is set to be announced in the new year. 

And another major change is planned, with the council aiming to have it constructed in spring next year. It’s the pedestrianisation of city centre streets, namely English Street and Devonshire Street.

In order to achieve the project objectives of 'improving the area for local residents and businesses', the proposals for the Devonshire Street include:

  • widening the pavements on both sides of the road
  • introduction of new seating, trees, and plants
  • providing cycle racks
  • single lane carriageway for vehicles
  • two loading bays

The Carlisle of December 2024 may be very different to what it is today, but only time will tell if these ambitious projects are completed in time.