A STRING of new retailers are poised to open in The Lanes Shopping Centre in Carlisle next year.

Shopping centre bosses hope to make an announcement in the new year about two retailers who will open in the former New Look unit.

The shop, on Scotch Street, is being split into three smaller units.

New Look has moved out of the premises and is due to open at the end of this month in the former Toys R Us shop close by.

Holly Woodhead, marketing manager at The Lanes Shopping Centre, said: “Two units have been filled and we have potential interest in the third unit, which we would like to be a food retailer. We’d like to have more discussions with independents.”

David Jackson, commercial director of The Lanes, added: “It’s a better sized unit for their business. It’s fantastic news for their staff to know that they are not losing their jobs.”

The good news comes as Carlisle’s countdown to Christmas kicks off this weekend with the switch-on of festive lights on Sunday.

Late-night shopping starts on Thursday and Black Friday - where retailers slash prices on many goods - will take place next Friday.

Mr Jackson said people have started their Christmas shopping and is urging people to shop local.

He said: “You can get most of what you want in Carlisle and if you can’t get it then they’ve usually got an online facility.”

Sixty temporary seasonal jobs are being created in The Lanes this Christmas and British clothing brand Jack Wills will open a pop-up shop on English Street next week. The retailer once had a shop in the city.

About 44,000 people passed through the shopping centre last Saturday and bosses say figures are up on the previous year. “Events like Remembrance helped last weekend, just like the poppies at the castle did in the summer,” said Mr Jackson.

He feels 2018 has been a positive year for the retail climate in the city.

He said: “We’ve attracted new names to Carlisle like Joules, Patisserie Valerie and Hotel Chocolat.

“The city on the whole has seen new menswear shops open in Carlyle’s Court and St Cuthbert’s Lane. Beadle and Hill has relocated.

“The Cumberland has new premises at the top of English Street which has also seen Newcastle Building Society take over the former Goldsmiths shop. Trespass has opened and elsewhere we’ve seen a new gin shop and a relocation for House of Malt whisky shop.

“We’ve got Jack Wills opening a pop-up shop in the old Next children’s unit. It could lead to something else we just don’t know. The former Fat Face unit has been re-let to a mobile phone accessories shop. For a city of Carlisle’s size you can’t knock it.”

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Mr Jackson said retailers have now accepted online shopping.

But other factors are now being blamed for a fall in sales.

He said: “Brexit has led to a price inflation and retailers are faced with a very different exchange rate with currencies and they’ve had to pass these on in a stunted market.

“The minimum wage is another thing for retailers to deal with and business rates.

“People are spending their disposable income differently. There has been a seismic change - a major, major change. People are buying tickets, weekends away, holidays abroad - people are travelling further afield. The high street has become a mid market place.

“People are buying more expensive items in the belief that they will last longer. They are investing in quality a bit more.

“A few years ago you didn’t see so many cars on the road. Now everyone drives a new car. They get them on lease deals.”

About 200,000 people each week passed through The Lanes between June and October.

Ms Woodhead said: “People are still coming through the centre, they are just looking at what they buy a bit more.”

Santa’s grotto opens in The Lanes every Saturday and Sunday in December from 11am to 3pm.

It will support CFM’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal. A £3 minimum donation is requested.