CONCERNS over the fate of Carlisle’s former House of Fraser site have been alleviated, as it has been revealed that a major national supermarket chain is set to move into the space, with other retailers also in the pipeline. 

The House of Fraser store, on English Street, officially closed its doors towards the end of May, ending a retail story that dates back to 1906.

Fears had been raised throughout the community that the site may have fallen into a similar situation to the city's vacant Debenhams store which closed back in 2021. 

Carigiet Cowen Ltd., the property agents listing the site, has now revealed that terms have been agreed with a leading national supermarket to occupy the location near the Bordo Lounge. 

Though its identity is yet to be publicly confirmed, the supermarket could be open before Christmas this year.

In addition to the supermarket, Carigiet Cowen Ltd has also received another offer from another major national high-street retailer, which currently does not have a presence in Carlisle, to take approximately 10,000 square feet of the site between the proposed supermarket and Caffé Nero.

Commercial estate agent for the firm, Ben Blain, also confirmed that Caffé Nero has just signed a new 10-year lease for its site with plans to self-contain the unit. 

“It’s positive for the city centre. The key thing that the owners wanted to achieve was get it reoccupied as quickly as they could," Ben said. 

"Credit has to go to them for being able to facilitate the deals that have been done so quickly.

“It’s only a good thing for Carlisle city centre, getting that supermarket in a building like that will help everyone around it.

"I’d like to think within 12 months, we’d have all of that ground floor reoccupied," he said. 

Significant interest in the ground floor of the property extends beyond these major retailers, however.

Local businesses have also shown interest in spaces along St Cuthbert’s Lane at the back of the property in the last week. 

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the opportunities available at the site, you are encouraged to get in touch with Carigiet Cowen Ltd on 01228 544733 or via carlisle@carigietcowen.co.uk.