THE tender process continues for the University of Cumbria’s ambitious Citadels project, with the announcement of the successful bidder expected early next year.

It follows after the construction company Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) which had been working with the university since March 2022, pulled out after they won tenders for two large new infrastructure projects 'deciding to focus on those'.

As a result, the university initiated a new tender process for the £55m project, with an announcement of the successful bidder expected around February/March next year. 

The Citadels project aims to create a new campus at the city's historic citadels, a move expected to enhance the city centre and coincide with other ongoing city centre developments. 

Properties on English Street and Victoria Viaduct have already been acquired and vacated in preparation for the development, which received planning approval in August 2022.

The university had initially committed £ 23.5m to the £ 77m Borderlands Partnership project but has since revised this to £ 15.5m.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is currently deliberating on the request for the additional £8m funding.

In a report to the Borderlands Partnership, the university cited "intense inflationary pressures, increasing employer pension contributions, and increased utility costs" as factors leading to the funding request which was made in May.

Speaking previously, a spokesperson for the University of Cumbria said: “We, along with all partners involved, remain fully committed to delivering the new Citadels campus in Carlisle.

“At its May meeting, the Borderlands Partnership Board agreed to support a request for additional funding for the project.

“In the meantime, work has continued behind the scenes as we prepare to start building our new campus at The Citadels site in Carlisle city centre and we are currently going through a tender process to select a new contractor with a view to building work starting on site in early 2025.

“It is an exciting time for the university and the wider city, as we move towards realising our vision and as we move into the next phase of delivery for this transformational project.”