PLANS have been proposed to redevelop the former first-class waiting room into a new bar area at Carlisle Railway Station. 

Seed Architects Ltd has put forward the proposal on behalf of Network Rail to Cumberland Council.

The application for the proposed refurbishment will see the transformation of the old first-class waiting room into a commercial space, 'but intended for the preferred tenant as a public house'. 

The proposed site is within the main station buildings to the left of the main entrance onto platform four, originally built in 1880. 

Site as pictured on Cumberland Council's Planning PortalSite as pictured on Cumberland Council's Planning Portal (Image: Seed Architects)

The documents show plans to turn the large hall-like room of the former waiting room into the main bar and seating area, with an additional mezzanine level erected within the room.  

External seating areas, both on the platform and towards the car park,  are also included in the proposal. 

"The first class waiting room project, matches aspirations for enhanced commercial offer, maximising the historic asset and improving passenger experience," the design and access statement reads. 

Pre-application advice highlighted that reopening a doorway to the car park  will be a "good asset to the history of the site by recovering an original feature while enhancing the passenger flow".

The plans have been put forward following the closure of the train station's onsite bar, 301 Miles from London, in November 2023.

The closure was announced on social media, where a spokesperson mentioned that renewing the lease was not an option and thanked customers and staff for their support and hard work over the years.

The proposal is part of the broader £27m Carlisle Gateway project, which aims to increase passenger use of the station and create a more attractive gateway to the city centre.

The project aspires to make Carlisle Station a national interchange providing high-speed and frequent services across the UK.

The old 1970s pool building on James Street and the empty Staples building have been demolished as part of the project. 

Court Square public realm work is expected to take place in 2025.