Council plans £4m reshape of Carlisle’s Market Square and Greenmarket

Cumberland is preparing to regenerate part of the city in a bid to create a welcoming and lively space for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The council is requesting the community to provide some input and preferences for the future events space.

In collaboration with nearby regeneration projects on Devonshire Street and English Street, Carlisle Station, and the University of Cumbria’s new Citadels Campus, more than £100m of public funding is being invested in the city centre.

Market Square and Greenmarket will receive £4m from the Future High Street Fund.

The project involves an area of more than 64,000 sq ft, creating a multifunctional space set to host a diverse array of activities and gatherings.

Ground investigation work has already been conducted by the contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering.

In collaboration with landscape architects Natural Dimensions, the council has shared some visual impressions of the proposals, featuring elements such as benches designed to look like they are twisting out of the ground.

As the project makes progress, the council has confirmed four trees have been removed from the designated area, two of which were unhealthy with the others being in the construction zone earmarked for the events space.

The relocation of the war memorial is part of the plan and an agreement has been reached with the Royal British Legion to move it along with its benches to a more prominent space within the Market Square.

In a commitment to environmental sustainability, the council is also assuring the community there will be tree and shrub planting within the area to preserve greenery at the heart of the city centre.

Residents and businesses can shape the project by contributing their thoughts by answering a brief two-minute questionnaire, accessible on the council’s website. The online survey will be open until midnight on Friday 8 March.

Leader of the council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:  “The Market Square and Greenmarket project promises an energetic and inviting event space, in the heart of the city.  It will combine the richness of Carlisle’s history with contemporary design.

“We invite residents and businesses to share their thoughts, ensuring that this space becomes an area that we can all be proud of. Your invaluable input through this short questionnaire will benefit the project, and it will only take a couple of minutes to complete the brief survey.

“I want to thank everyone in advance, for taking the time to help us”.