THIS week marks one year since Victoria Viaduct was shut off to traffic and pedestrians after the Central Plaza hotel in Carlisle became unsafe.

Carlisle City Council - which carried out emergency repairs on the building last year - says discussions with a "potential experienced developer" are ongoing.

A spokeswoman said "They are undertaking development appraisals and site investigations.

"A formal proposal is awaited and although no decision on the way forward is imminent, we remain focused on achieving a positive outcome for the site.”

Last summer the Viaduct, where the hotel stands, had to be shut to cars and pedestrians so emergency repairs could be carried out. Giant cranes had to be brought in from elsewhere and they moved onto the site.

The cranes could be seen across the city working day and night to remove several tonnes of masonry from the building to make it safe.

The road closure wreaked havoc on local businesses – with many forced to close or relocate for weeks – and motorists who had to find alternative routes.

One business - Carlisle Bed Centre - has since shut its doors.

One company said to be interested in the site was Inveniam, a firm based in Newcastle.

They announced plans last May to transform the former ownerless hotel into a 60-bedroom hotel with a bar, bistro, meeting and office space.

The city council is not the owner of the Central Plaza building and while it says it is “supportive” of moving development forward, it has only statutory rather than legal duties in respect of the building.

The hotel closed in 2004 and has remained vacant since. Hoardings have now been placed around it and it has scaffolding around it.

Several failed attempts to redevelop the property have left the building in a poor condition.

Emergency work to improve structural safety was undertaken the city council last year under the Building Act 1984.

Carlisle City Council is not the owner of the Central Plaza building and whilst supportive of moving development forward has only statutory rather than legal duties in respect of the building.

The hotel closed in 2004 and has remained vacant since. Several failed attempts to redevelop the property have left the building in poor condition.

As the building is ownerless (it is currently in escheat but rests with the Crown Estate) emergency work to improve structural safety were recently undertaken by Carlisle City Council under the Building Act 1984.