A bid to inject a splash of colour into Carlisle city centre while a major revamp is underway has been launched.
The Uptown Art Gallery, a collaboration between Cumberland Council, local artists, Tullie, and the University of Cumbria, is bringing vibrant, homegrown art to the heart of Carlisle’s city centre.
It will feature stunning artwork on the fencing and hoarding boards surrounding the Market Square and Greenmarket regeneration project.
This initiative is part of a larger £5.5 million investment from the central government’s Future High Streets Fund, aimed at transforming a 5,000-square-metre area into a vibrant, multifunctional space for both residents and visitors.
University of Cumbria principal lecturer Claire Inglis said: “The Uptown Gallery has been a great opportunity for our students to showcase their creativity, and to show off their talent we nurture here at the University of Cumbria.”
The Uptown Art Gallery complements Tullie’s new Carlisle Gallery, which will feature displays highlighting Carlisle’s unique identity when it opens soon.
As part of the regeneration project, new benches have been ordered to enhance public spaces. The previous benches have been donated to St Cuthbert’s Church on West Walls, offering them a new purpose within the community.
The next phase of the project is underway, with adjustments to the hoarding perimeter, and work will continue until summer 2025. Throughout this time, pedestrian access will be maintained between construction areas and on Castle Street to ensure ease of movement for visitors.
Additionally, four new trees will be planted, two near the war memorial and two near the new events space, to replace two trees that had to be removed due to ash dieback disease.
Temporary surfaces in the regeneration area will also be replaced with materials that match the rest of the project, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality finish while eliminating potential tripping hazards.
