By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 12:00, Wednesday, 26 September 2012

New shops and flats look set to go up in part of Carlisle’s former Twisted Wheel nightclub.

The Twisted Wheel sign

Wapping Property applied to convert the ground and first floors of former Club XS in West Walls.

It says 16 jobs could be created in three or four shops fronting West Walls, with two one-bedroomed flats above.

The plans show that the two floors beneath, in Blackhouses Walk, will not be altered.

These used to house the Twisted Wheel and could re-open as a nightclub, or possibly as two venues.

Wapping Property is registered to Carlisle Glass/ Longhorn Hardware’s head office in Lorne Crescent, Denton Holme, and its sole director is John Pattison who set up the group.

Former Carlisle Renaissance director Ian McNichol, who is married to Mr Pattison’s daughter Andrea, said in June that he was “looking into” re-opening the Twisted Wheel.

He issued a statement to clarify that those plans are not affected by the conversion of the upper floors and said they were still ‘exploring options’ for the remainder of the building.

“We are in discussions with various parties but as yet no definitive decision to re-open has been taken.”

Ideas include a multi-purpose venue catering for a mix of music, performance and arts events such as live bands, comedy, DJ nights, shows and exhibitions.

There might also be space for rehearsal, private parties and other community uses.

An auction of the building last year failed because bidding did not reach the reserve price of £400,000.

The premises have not traded since April 2008.

Wapping said it was in talks with Carlisle City Council’s heritage officer to ensure that the proposals for any shops in West Walls complement and enhance the existing streetscape

First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk