A string of new eating and drinking venues are poised to give a boost to Carlisle’s social scene.

City nightlife king John Van Lierop, who owns three other bars and a club in the city, has bought the former Robertson’s cafe building on Lowther Street and is currently renovating it.

A new bar has opened in the Lowther Arcade, adding to the nightlife hub already in this part of the city centre.

And a trendy vinyl-themed cafe is opening in the city’s historic quarter, while other operators are being lined up for Botchergate.

Mr Van Lierop’s son, Tony, who is involved in the businesses, confirmed his family had bought the building which housed Robertson’s but has declined to comment further on what his family’s plans are.

Mr Van Lierop, currently runs The Last Zebra and Concrete nightclub on Lowther Street as well as Eaten by Monsters and Hell Below & Co on Devonshire Street.

The building, which was sold by property agents Walton Goodland, has scaffolding outside. 

Stephen Sewell from Walton Goodland said he is “bringing various other operators to the city” to open in premises near the former Mood nightclub, which reopens next month as Mint, a club with a rooftop terrace bar.

Meanwhile, the bar Molly’s has opened in the Lowther Arcade between Lowther Street and English Street.

Owner Julie Brown, 51, said: “We had hoped to open before Christmas but the floods set me back as all the builders were tied up getting people’s homes sorted and that’s more important.”

Molly’s is named after a small cabaret bar in Soho called Molly Moggs that Julie likes to drink in when she’s in London.

It is decorated with memorabilia and antique furniture. She said: “We’ve got 1920s satin shoes from Harvey Nichols and some gangster posters and an original 1920s/1930s American telephone for decor.”

The bar has two floors and seats about 30 people.

Julie is currently applying for permission to have a seated area outside.

She said: “We don’t serve food but we are hoping to do tea and coffees.”

The bar is open seven days a week and employs about five staff.

Across the city, on Abbey Street, a new Vinyl Cafe is opening its doors.

James Brown and Lynn Simpson will be selling coffee and records at their new venture, due to open in June.