The mystery surrounding an iconic Carlisle retail building has deepened – thanks to a series of posters hinting it is about to make a comeback.

The former Hoopers store in Castle Street has been a part of the city centre retail landscape for decades, but its most recent revival as a Paris Department store ended disastrously in September last year.

That store closed amid a wave of negative publicity.

But it has now emerged that a new owner of the building is working behind the scenes to give it a new and positive lease of life.

As Carlisle this week welcomed the city's new Primark store in the former BHS building in the Lanes, a series of posters appeared in the windows of the former Paris store.

“We are currently refurbishing this store,” states one poster. It adds: “Please keep checking on our progress. You will like our plans!”

Another poster says: “Curious? Please be patient. All will be revealed soon – so keep watching this space!”

The third poster states: “Wondering what we are doing? We are very excited and all will be revealed soon! We appreciate your interest.”

The posters are the latest tantalising indication that the store will soon get a new lease of life but so far no details have been revealed.

The building's ownership has now changed hands. Though not yet publicly identified, the new owner is known to be a successful Cumbria-based businessman who hopes to restore the building's reputation to its glory days as a respected city centre store.

He has also stated his intention to create secure long-term jobs.

Last month, it emerged four businesses had expressed an interest in renting space in the store though no final decisions have been made.

The first sign that the three storey building will soon open a new chapter came in a licensing application submitted to the City Council by Jovita Kubiliene.

City council Leader Colin Glover said last month there had been conversations with council officials about the future use of the building.