Multi-storey car park plan for former council HQ

Council workers have transferred from the Lonsdale buildings at The Citadel, close to Carlisle’s train station, to a new £10.4m purpose-built base in Botchergate.

But as county councillors and their officers settle into the new headquarters, a question mark hangs over the future of its iconic former base.

Plans have been floated for The Citadel buildings to be used as a venue and even a hotel.

The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has earmarked the area for a multi-million pound makeover.

The Lonsdale building

which housed many council officers, is due for demolition and could be replaced with a multi-storey car park.

And the block of buildings including the B&M store could be redeveloped into retail and leisure units such as cafes and restaurants, according to council leader Stewart Young.

He said: “The Lonsdale building will be demolished pretty quickly.

“There is a plan to put a multi-storey car park there with access to the railway station.

“We have had interest expressed on redeveloping the area from national and local businesses.”

LEP director Graham Haywood has said the sizeable area close to the train station has been the focus of attention for his group and could be redeveloped into a hotel and conference centre.

He has said: “The fact that The Citadel is going to be empty in the next few months will create the opportunity to press on with something.”

The redevelopment forms part of the LEP’s £165m economic growth plan for the county.

Mr Young says any plans to develop The Citadel buildings would have to be delicate but he would like to see more public use of them. He added: “For years Carlisle has had an aspiration for a four star hotel.

“The Citadel is a Grade I listed building which restricts any changes to the exterior and interior. It is not that usable a space as it is configured.”

Money has been set aside to maintain the buildings and ensure they don’t fall into disrepair pending any redevelopment.