ONE of Carlisle’s longest established chartered surveying practices is bringing vibrancy to the centre of Cumbria’s only city by attracting major national tenants to large vacant high street buildings. 

Carigiet Cowen, which has been operating in Carlisle for more than 30 years, has been working with property investors to attract tenants to two prominent buildings on English Street, set right at the heart of the city centre.

In October 2023 the company worked with the owners of the 6,000 square foot former Topshop property at 18 to 24 English Street to successfully let the space to Loungers UK Limited, who signed a long lease and invested nearly £1m in the building to open the Bordo Lounge café, restaurant and bar.

In June this year, the company also worked with the new owners of the former House of Fraser unit immediately next door at 26-40 English Street after it was vacated by Sports Direct.

As a result current occupiers Caffe Nero have signed a new lease for approximately 2,000 square feet of space and are currently refurbishing the unit to add new customer seating and toilet facilities.

Terms have also been agreed with Tesco Express to occupy approximately 4,000 square feet of space on the opposite side of the property, adjacent to Bordo Lounge, following the closure of its previous store on Victoria Viaduct. 

Ben Blain, director at Carigiet Cowen, says it is continuing to market the rest of the space in the building and has received offers from further high street retailers which currently do not have a presence in Carlisle.

This includes requirements to take from 10,000 square feet up to 25,000 square feet and smaller requirements for the self-contained top floor accommodation and warehouse accommodation to the rear. 

(Image: Ben Blain)
“Our company’s reputation for knowing who is in the market at a given time, plus what their requirements are, are essential to fully allow us to advise our clients professionally on a regular basis," said Ben.

"This is demonstrated by bringing the likes of Loungers and Tesco Express to the forefront of English Street.

"These new lettings are a positive for the city centre and the area because you're not having shut down frontages along the high street.

"The types of operators we have concluded deals with, and the ones we are trying to get over the line, will help all businesses in the centre of Carlisle.”