The bar is being stocked, the stage is being sorted and the decor and surroundings are better than they ever were.

The final touches are now being made as Carlisle's flood-hit Old Fire Station prepares to throw open its doors once again tomorrow.

Much of the city venue, which only opened its doors last year following a £1m refurbishment of the Rickergate site, was swamped by water when Storm Desmond struck the city last December.

But the excitement has gradually been building ahead of the grand opening, with a host of musicians already booked in to play at the Peter Street centre over the coming months.

In addition to the list of live events, the building has also welcomed artist Marcer Campbell on board.

He will serve as its 'artist-in-residence' until 2018 and will help to bring the sights and scenery of Carlisle into the venue.

Marcer, who is from Wigton, has already completed two cityscapes which will hang close to the main stage, which itself faces an impressive stained glass window.

"One is the view from the top of the cathedral and the other is from the top of the civic centre," he said .

"I actually started the work - taking photographs and making sketches - before the Old Fire Station flooded.

"I was actually due to move in on the weekend that the floods came."

During his tenure as artist-in-residence, Marcer will be based at the Old Fire Station, working on an exhibition called Northern Song.

"I'll be covering what goes on here," he explained.

"The work will be reflective of the people that come and perform at the Old Fire Station and it's something I'm very much looking forward to.

"As well as helping to detail the history of the venue and the city, I'll be focusing on the present as well."

The Old Fire Station will open its doors to the public tomorrow evening, with performances from The Ogres of Go Go and The Chadelics.

But Stephen Dunn, arts officer for Carlisle City Council, said that there is so much more going on.

Danny Bryant will play the venue on September 22, while Milburn, ska legends The Selecter and 911 - led by Carlisle-born Lee Brennan - will all take to the stage in the coming weeks.

Black Grape, fronted by indie icon and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, are also one of the star attractions of this autumn.

The band, famous for huge nineties hits including Reverend Black Grape and In The Name Of The Father, perform on November 26.

"It was really important that we hit the ground running," Stephen added.

"We were never really sure when we were going to open but we decided to set a date in September and stick by it.

"We wanted to make sure that there was plenty going on to welcome people back."

Stephen said that having Marcer on board would allow the sights and sounds of Carlisle to be brought in to the venue for people to enjoy.

"It all started through a casual conversation," he explained.

"He told us about the work he'd been done and we really liked what he had to say and the whole ethos of what he was doing."

He also believes that having Marcer based in the building will create a different dynamic for visitors to enjoy.

"The fact that Marcer is an artist-in-residence and is based here means that people will be able to go up and see what he's working on.

"It means rather than just looking at his work on the wall, they'll be able to see how it's created and follow it step by step."

Forthcoming shows at the Old Fire Station include:

  • Milburn - October 27
  • The Selector - September 29
  • 911 - September 30
  • Keith James, the Songs of Leonard Cohen - October 2
  • Dr Feelgood - October 6
  • The Travelling Band - October 7
  • Ensemble 360 - October 13
  • Jolan - November 4
  • Joel Dommett - November 5
  • Black Grape - November 26