Carlisle: Businesses disappointed as works disrupt footfall

Earlier this year, Cumberland Council confirmed that a multi-million market square and greenmarket regeneration project would begin. 

Work commenced towards the end of Castle Street in mid-August, but more recently, businesses in the historic quarter have seen their shops almost cordoned off by barriers, which has led to social media posts explaining that they remain open. 

A Cumberland Council social media post in October, also failed to mention a number of businesses including Luna Amatores, Bookends and Flutter and Fern as still open, which only added to the owners' grievances. 

Speaking to the News & Star, Bookends said: "I recently had a customer say that they are deterred from coming up to our shop due to all the construction being done, because they have to go out of their way to avoid it and its off putting. During the first week there wasn't anything to let people know we were still open despite the works occurring. We had to complain to council to put up signs to alert people we were still trading.

"It has definitely impacted footfall, we have seen a reduction in the amount of people coming in. I can't say whether it seems good for the city as I have yet to see anyone benefit from anything finished. But I do think the works have been a great and sudden inconvenience to most local businesses."

While most owners agree that the regeneration project will provide a much-needed facelift for the city centre, the initial lack of signage and recognition from the council has been a kick-in-the-teeth for these independent businesses, especially in the run-up to Christmas. 

Husband-and-wife duo Martyn and Jen Nichol, who have been running Cathedral Lodge Antiques for eight years now, are frustrated as their business has 'virtually blocked off' by the ongoing works. 

They said: "Looking at the plans the proposed regeneration looks amazing. 

"However, we don’t think it was needed. The money could have been better spent elsewhere in our opinion. 

"Our footfall is down. Due to the fact we are virtually blocked off. We are sure when it is finished it will be lovely, but the time it is going to take is more than a touch frustrating. 

"We are a husband and wife team and this is our livelihood. There is no compensation offered."

The view outside of Cathedral Lodge Antiques (Image: Cathedral Lodge Antiques) Flutter and Fern, another popular local business which recently celebrated its first anniversary, had been hoping to see an increase in footfall ahead of the Christmas period, but were disappointed not to be included on the council's initial post urging local people to continue supporting local businesses. 

Owner Joanne Palmer said: "We think it’s a good thing that money is being spent on regenerating the city centre and other areas. In the long term it will hopefully benefit businesses by bringing more people into the city. It will hopefully bring a new lease of life to the city centre which can only be a good thing.

"That being said, following the beginning of work on the city centre we saw a 20 per cent reduction in sales in store which is hard for a new upcoming business which is trying our best to become established and make our mark here in Carlisle. 

"Cumberland Council have put up social media posts and banners listing which businesses are still open whilst the work is ongoing but they failed to add us and others to their list. We feel now is when the support is needed to remind people, we are here so we can still be here when the work is complete."

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: "We want to reassure everyone that all businesses in the city centre will remain open and continue to operate as usual, while the regeneration project continues in Market Square and Greenmarket. We will continue to encourage both residents and visitors to support these local businesses during this time.

"In reviewing the signage, we recognised that some businesses were inadvertently omitted from the original lists. However, with the valuable feedback provided by businesses, we have ensured they are included on the updated signage. This new signage is currently being printed, and we anticipate it will be fitted within the next two weeks.

"We are committed to working closely with businesses to ensure the regeneration project has as little impact on them as possible.

"For more details about the project, please visit the council’s website."

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