Carlisle consent for Stack
Approval has been given for an “urban container park” food, drink, and entertainment venue at the Lowther Street surface car park.
Stack has established a reputation in the North East, with a Newcastle container scheme proving popular at Pilgrim Street over four years, before closing to make way for development works.
There is also a venue in Sunderland’s Seaburn, while in April, Danieli Group obtained consent to convert Durham’s 30,000 sq ft former M&S store into a venue featuring seven street food outlets, five bars, a coffee shop, stage, communal seating and a rooftop terrace, as well as an interactive gaming room with shuffleboard and darts.
As with that scheme, the operator is working with architect Dunwoodie Swift in Carlisle, along with Sam Greig Planning. A total of 15 units are proposed for the Carlisle scheme.
The professional team also includes Hydrock, Tetra Tech, Apex Acoutics and Geo Environmental Engineering.
The scheme is proposed on part of the car park site, close to The Lanes shopping centre. Earlier plans for three levels of containers have been rowed back to two, with further tweaks bring made to roofing.
As with the Seaburn venue, containers would surround a central plaza. Credit: planning documents
Sam Greig’s planning statement said: “The intention is to recreate the atmosphere and feel generated by the same developer at the highly successful and popular STACK developments in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne and on the seafront at Seaburn, bringing a concept that has not previously been delivered in Carlisle.
“The multifunctional space would be formed by shipping containers enclosing a central plaza. Surrounding the plaza on the ground and first floors would be a selection of independent food operators, bars, including a coffee shop and flexibility for one of the food outlets to trade as a retail unit. The venue space is managed by one operator who will manage the bars and work closely with the independent small businesses to support their business development and help them reach their potential.
“The communal plaza is the ‘heart and soul’ of the venue and provides a central place where people can come together socially. The venue is aimed at a wide demographic and includes a small stage and will host a variety of events ranging from dog shows, monthly quizzes, kids’ activities, such as ‘Punch and Judy’ and pantomime shows; all of which seek to ensure that the venue is attractive to a broad audience.”
Despite 20-plus objections, including that of the Carlisle Civic Trust, the plans were approved, with a decision notice published on 10 May. The scheme’s application reference on Carlisle’s planning portal is 22/0840.
