Cumberland strikes deal for a Premier Inn on long-vacant Carlisle site
Whitbread, the owner of the hotel chain, is working up plans to replace the former Plaza hotel that was demolished in 2020.
Cumberland Council said in a statement that the deal with Whitbread would see the Carlisle site “redeveloped into the latest generation Premier Inn hotel”.
The council had been working alongside CBRE since 2021 to find a buyer for the site.
Located opposite the University of Cumbria’s proposed £77m Citadels campus, the site was floated at the time for a replacement hotel, offices, or residential.
The former hotel closed in 2004 and the site has been essentially ownerless since. It was subject to escheat to be dealt with by The Crown Estate
Whitbread will lead the construction of the new hotel, subject to planning permission from Cumberland Council, and own and operate the completed venue.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “I am delighted that an investor has been secured for the site. It is another important step forward for the regeneration for Carlisle city centre.
Work is already underway on city centre transformation schemes and the Citadels Railway Station redevelopment, with plans also in place for the University of Cumbria site too. All will bring transformational change to the city.”
Whitbread intends to submit a planning application this summer and is targeting an opening date before the end of 2028.
Whitbread acquisition manager, Jill Anderson, said: “We’re excited to bring Premier Inn to the heart of Carlisle, providing high-quality, affordable hotel accommodation in a prime and accessible location.
“This development underscores our commitment to expanding Premier Inn across the north of England, supporting local economies, and creating lasting employment opportunities. We’re proud to be investing in Carlisle’s future and bringing this important city centre site back into long-term use.”
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