where in carlisle can the over 50 go for a night out we have got a theatre in carlisle needs restoring but i am sure if they can spend millions on the sands millions on restoring the town hall they could restore the theatre and some where to eat inside instead of us all going to newcastle to watch shows there we could have them in our own theatre makes sense .

no the lonsdale does not need to be pill down it needs money spent on it like the new pools and art centre how many million is been used carlisle needs a threatre there is one there which when restored will bring lots of trade to carlisle some where for the over 50 to go it could be a wonder full place its like carlisle airport now what is the next exuse to de lay it carlisle has nothing .

Mr Collins,

"tescos were allowed to buy the land"

Really? 'allowed' to buy the land? Who allowed them? Do you believe that the transfer of land between two parties is controlled by the government/council?

Tescos need no ones permission to buy or sell whatever they want with whoever they want.

However, tescos was given planning permission which had restrictions requiring Tescos to try and make the horse and farrier a going concern. This restriction only comes into place when Tescos actually start building there. Which they might not.

Unfortunately its like the Horse & Farrier on Wigton Road, Tesco were allowed to buy the land, and supposedly renovate the building nothing has being done the Lonsdale will be like this, left to get worse making Carlisle look even more derelict and rundown. Carlisle is supposed to be a City,I'm sure some councillors have blinkers on.

The building is hideous! Just take a sensible look at it from Cecil Street or Mary Street. It isn't the council's job to do anything about it unless it becomes unsafe so let's hope its owners come up with a plan to build slmething useful and feasible on that site.

A car park, perhaps?

I lived in the city for 10 years until 2001 and it was a delight to live here and find this place when I moved to Carlisle. It was a definite loss when it closed down leaving people to go to that soulless cinema down botchergate, theres more style in a glass of water. I've been back to the city regularly and watched horrified as its been let slide downhill,its a disgrace to the city it wasnt used or put to better purpose than let rot. As to the easily pleased and uneducated who want trendy new buildings and naff displays of modern art, etc, theres always the Sage in Gateshead or perhaps you can get Tracy Ermin, the un-made bed artiste/specialist or the geezer who pickles half sheep, to come and do a spectacular at the pre-fab Sands centre-it's total designed to look good and make people feel their in opululant surroundings..!! It's a gym for pity's sake. People of Carlisle, lean on the Council to make the owners bring it to an acceptable standard and sell it to someone who gain lottery funding for it, look after it and put Carlisle firmly back on the map.. Best of luck people

Dear Joe - If you let the owners demolish the Lonsdale, you are giving the green light to any owner of a listed building who wants to demolish it without listed building consent to neglect it, turn it into a wreck and then say "what a pity" the only solution is to demolish it. How can you be so naive?
The council has powers to make the owners protect and restore this love Art Deco building - whether for continues use as a cinema, or re-use as a theatre, housing or part of a hotel. The owners ought to have insurance to cover the fire damage and possibly the rain penetration damage. Even if that is not the case, they knew when they bought the building that they have the responsibility to protect it and to put the damage right. The City Council must use its powers to see that is done.

Right Joe, as of last night you are in control of CCC. Please confirm the date for the Lonsdale's demolition.

How about, and to satisfy both sides in this argument, the council uses their existing powers to force the owners to make the building presentable, safe and watertight? They've done it with the Central Plaza and there's no reason whatsoever that they cannot do the same with the Lonsdale.

This would appease Lonsdale supports like myself and those who think it should be pulled down because it's an eyesore. It is an eyesore, and yes it does smell. But it shouldn't have got into this state and has only done so because the council has failed to do anything about it.

Let's at least get it smartened up.

James- no the council can't organise it. They don't own it!!