BURGER King is awaiting "final confirmation" ahead of plans to bring the much-loved fast-food chain back to the city. 

In June 2023, Custodian Real Estate Investment Ltd got Cumberland Council's approval to construct a restaurant on a 2,500-square-foot site at St Nicholas Gate Retail Park, London Road.

The project, which includes a drive-through, has been eagerly anticipated by locals as they look to welcome the return of the chain. 

In an update on the project, a spokesperson from Burger King said: "We’re awaiting final confirmation on a planned new restaurant in Carlisle.

"We're excited about opening a new restaurant in the area, and we will be in touch when we have further updates to share," they said. 

Carlisle has been without a Burger King since the closure of the city's only outlet on London Road in late 2012. 

Despite a petition to keep the restaurant open generating more than 1,000 signatures, the franchise was shut down.

According to original plans for the new site, upwards of 30 jobs, including five managerial roles, are expected to be created when the site eventually opens providing an employment boost for the local community.

Speaking previously, Alex Franklin, senior planner at Hedley Planning Services, who has overseen the application, spoke of how the new site would "contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of the retail park". 

New outdoor seating will also be provided adjacent to the eastern elevation with the main customer entrance to face other retail units on the park.

Elsewhere in the retail park, expected change is on the cards as reports suggest that Poundland is about to move into the larger unit currently occupied by Oak Furnitureland, while pet store Jollyes is expected to replace Poundland's existing unit.

On the same side of the city, plans for a new Greggs at the site of a former doctor's surgery have also been put forward to the council. 

In June, it was revealed the fast-food outlet lodged an application to repurpose the former Harraby surgery building on Eastern Way and London Road.

If plans are approved by the council, it could create 12 new jobs for the area.