First chance to see multi-million pound Carlisle city centre redevelopment

Credit - University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria's multi-million pound redevelopment of Carlisle city centre is taking shape as representatives from the citadel project attended the site.

A video of what the completion of the work in the city centre will look like was released, showcasing the scale of change set for Carlisle.

Carlisle MP Julie Minns attended the site to provide an update on what work will take place in 2025 with an expected finish date being in 2027.

The £78 million project will see Carlisle city centre redeveloped and is one of the city's major regeneration schemes and is supported by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

The citadel campus is expected to welcome students in 2027. Credit: University of Cumbria

£50 million is being funded towards the project through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments and £5.2 million through the Carlisle Town Deal Fund. Students are expected to be on site by 2027.

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL said: “We are happy to have this opportunity to update the city’s MP on progress made to date and the next steps of this major scheme.

"Work has continued behind the scenes, with asbestos removal and soft strip works preparing the site in readiness for when a contractor is selected - all with a view of building work starting in 2025.

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

“As we await a decision on our funding request, we continue to work closely with our partners including Cumberland Council and the Borderlands Partnership, to ensure that the project is ready to progress when the next milestones are reached.”

Julie Minns MP said that the new campus will be a "huge boost" for Carlisle. Credit: Julie Minns

As part of the regeneration works in Carlisle, English Street will see the major redevelopment for the University of Cumbria's Citadel campus.

Carlisle MP Julie Minns said: "It was very helpful to visit the site earmarked for the University of Cumbria’s new campus – a development that marks another step in the development of our university and one that offers the potential to further transform for Carlisle and its historic city centre.

"Having thousands of students attending lectures and studying in the city centre will be a huge boost for Carlisle’s city centre, with local businesses set to benefit from having a large number of vibrant and diverse new customers on their doorstep.

"This new campus is being made possible thanks to government funding and along with the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine will further raise Carlisle’s profile as an exciting place to study."

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