Cumberland Council has announced that an investor has been secured for the former Central Plaza site in Carlisle.
Whitbread plc, the parent company of the Premier Inn hotel chain, has agreed terms to acquire the site from the council which will see the land redeveloped into the latest generation Premier Inn hotel.
The former Central Plaza site has been effectively ownerless for several years. Its ownership reverted to the Crown Estate.
Carlisle City Council demolished and cleared the hotel that stood on the site during 2020 after it became structurally unsafe.
Cumberland Council said it had been in talks with the Crown’s advisors to acquire the site and enable the redevelopment the prominent site.
The authority has used an allocation from its Government Future High Streets Fund programme to undertake a series of work, including repairs to the gable wall of the Green Room Theatre on West Walls.
Working with property consultant CBRE, the council sought proposals to redevelop the prime site in Carlisle’s city centre
Whitbread was selected as the preferred developer due to the company’s position as the UK’s leading hotel operator and the strength of its proposal for the regeneration of the site.
The company intends to lead the construction of the new hotel, subject to planning permission from Cumberland Council, and own and operate the completed hotel.
Leader of Carlisle City Council 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 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.”
Whitbread intends to submit a planning application for the new hotel this summer. If approved, it is hoped the new hotel will open before the end of 2028.
