The countdown has begun to the official opening of Carlisle's highly anticipated Primark store.

The clothes shop will open the doors to its outlet in The Lanes Shopping Centre at 10am on Thursday.

It is expected people will travel to Carlisle from across the county to be among the first to set foot in the store.

"We know and Primark know they've got a lot of customers across the county who are shopping outside the county at the moment and obviously that will change come October 6," said David Jackson, of The Lanes.

"In terms of floor space it's the biggest store we've opened since Debenhams in 2000.

"So it's the biggest store we've opened in 16 years and probably the biggest retail unit to be opened in the city centre in that length of time as well."

Primark has signed a 25-year deal for the city premises, which is understood to be one of the company’s biggest deals in the UK. It is moving into the building formerly occupied by BHS.

  • Telecoms giant Virgin Media is also setting up shop in Carlisle.

It will take up residence in a unit in The Lanes opposite Muffin Break and close to Primark on Friday.

Related: Carlisle already benefiting from Primark effect