THE issue of empty properties in Carlisle city centre will be raised at a public meeting next week.

Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group) is due to ask a question at Tuesday's (January 16) meeting of Cumberland Council.

He will ask: "Carlisle city centre trade is dying with many long-standing empty properties which have never been reoccupied for business use again, for example Bulloughs, Debenhams and Poundstretcher and more recently WILKO, other shop units remain empty on Scotch Street, English Street, the Lanes, and Botchergate.

"Listening to local business people they say it is because of the high business rates and rents coupled with more people shopping on the Internet.

"What is Cumberland Council going to do to help small businesses open and survive not only in Carlisle but the rest of our town centres in Cumberland where shop uptake is reducing and more town centre businesses are closing?"

Tuesday's meeting at the Civic Centre in Carlisle is due to start at 1pm.