Carlisle has been given a £19.7 million windfall by the Government to help it develop a vision for the city’s future.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced today in the Budget that the city was among the areas successful in their bids for the Town Deal.
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between Government, the lead council and a Town Deal Board, which was appointed to put together the bid.
It will set out a vision and strategy for the town.
On September 6, 2019, the Government invited 100 places to develop proposals for a Town Deal, as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund- of which Carlisle was one.
The application was submitted to the Towns Deal Fund at the end of last year.
John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council said: “This is great news for Carlisle and will result in even more investment for the city. We have also secured funding from the Towns Fund, as well as the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, Future High Street Fund and St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
“Together these provide opportunities for the most significant levels of investment that Carlisle has seen for a very long time. The Investment Plan will help drive Carlisle forward in the future.”
Paul Nedved, portfolio holder economy, enterprise and housing said: “I’d like to thank all those involved in drawing together the Carlisle Town Deal Investment Plan. It was put together by a group representing key public and private sector organisations in the city.
“It is a blueprint for growth and we’re delighted that this hard work has resulted in another funding boost for the city.”
Emma Porter, Story Contracting and Carlisle Town Deal Board chair, added: “I’m delighted that we have been successful in securing this £19.7m investment for the city.
“I have enjoyed chairing the Town Deal Board and am looking forward to getting on with the next stage of developing some of these exciting projects.”
The news has been welcomed by John Stevenson, Carlisle MP and member of the Town Deal Board.
He said: “This is a significant amount, building on what we’ve already managed to achieve and the confidence shown in the city by the Borderlands Growth Deal and the High Street Fund, helping to improve things for Carlisle.
“We applied for £25m so we got almost 80 per cent of what we asked for, so I’m happy with that.
“A lot of work has gone into this. All credit to the bid team who put the bid together and produced a very strong bid.
“Government approved and provided 80 per cent of the funding.”
Carlisle’s bid was for £25m and plans in the bid included:
- Carlisle Southern Gateway.
- Digital and Community Learning Hub.
- Start with the Park (St Cuthbert’s Garden Village).
- City Centre Cultural Investments: Tullie House and city centre events projects.
- Citadels Innovation Hub.
- Carlisle Indoor Market.
It is not yet known in what capacity the funding will be spent on the above projects.
