Carlisle is braced for the busiest weekend of the year, with new store Primark expected to draw massive crowds into the city.

Five hundred customers were estimated to have flooded through the doors of the budget clothing shop in the first five minutes after it opened yesterday.

Just after 9am – an hour before it started trading following years of anticipation that the firm would come to the city – the car park of The Lanes shopping centre was full.

David Jackson, commercial director of The Lanes, where Primark is based, said he thought tomorrow and Sunday could be a bumper trading weekend.

“The opening went phenomenally well and from what I’ve heard I’m expecting this weekend to be one of the busiest of the year,” said Mr Jackson.

“A lot of people have said they are coming to Carlisle to go shopping and I think Primark has something to do with that.

“Primark does a lot to make a place look like an attractive proposition.

“It’s impossible to say how much the local economy will benefit but when a Primark opens in other places the footfall generally goes up. This weekend could be Christmas shopping starting early.”

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “It was a big day for Carlisle.

“People have asked for this for a long time. It is a boost for the city as it will bring people in.

“Retailers like to be around Primark because of the increased footfall.”


Colin Stothard Invited guests gathered in the shop ahead of the opening to hear speeches from Simon Gibbs, director of sales, UK, for Primark and Mayor of Carlisle, Colin Stothard.

Mr Stothard said: “Wow. That was the first word I thought when I heard Primark was coming to Carlisle.

“It’s brought 180 jobs to Carlisle and given us a higher profile on the map.

“The whole city benefits from the opening. Thank you Primark.”

Mr Gibbs said the firm had received 1,400 applications for the 180 jobs.

He added: “We are delighted to open a new store in Carlisle.

“This is an important opening for Primark and we look forward to expanding our footprint and bringing the Primark brand to more customers.”

He told staff: “You should be very proud of all your hard work.”

As the doors opened, some of the staff did a Mexican wave, lining the main aisle with blue balloons and giant foam hands to welcome the first customers.


David Jackson Mr Jackson added: “We feel the opening of Primark will bring a lot of people back to Carlisle.

"Those that would go to the Metro Centre or to a Primark city might come back.

“And when they’re here they will likely have something to eat and drink and visit other retailers too.

“We have several new stores including Smiggle, Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery, Toys R Us and Virgin Media.

"It’s an important mix and we are looking to a strong Christmas.”