CARLISLE is seeing a rise in the number of independent shops opening.

A chocolate shop is set to open soon - and a new childrenswear shop and a ladies clothes shop recently opened.

Castle Chocolates will open on Fisher Street in premises formerly occupied by the Bare Kitchen.

And Best Dressed Kidz Children’s Boutique, which has a branch in Dumfries, opened yesterday in a unit underneath the Crown and Mitre hotel on English Street.

Meanwhile, new ladies clothes store - NK Fashion - has opened at the entrance to The Lanes Shopping Centre on Lowther Street.

This week, Carlisle was included in a list of 100 towns and cities across England which will get a share of the Government’s £1bn Future High Streets Fund.

High streets across the country - including in Carlisle - have been battling in recent years against the rise of internet shopping, with online giants such as Amazon gobbling up trade.

Councillor Paul Nedved, responsible for the economy, enterprise and housing, said: “It is really good news to see more independent shops opening.

“It provides a wide retail mix for residents and tourists in the city centre alongside the forthcoming openings of Deichmann and River Island on Scotch Street.

“Added to this the aromas and atmosphere at the weekend of the Continental Market which was a draw to visitors alongside the proclamation of the Great Fair.

“We want a thriving and successful city centre encouraging the visitor economy and trading after 3pm which the free car park initiative is there to encourage.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “I am absolutely delighted that Carlisle has been shortlisted for the Future High Streets Fund. This will allow us to put forward more detailed proposals that are aimed at transforming Carlisle city centre, including our ideas for new investments in infrastructure, for housing and for work spaces.

“This positive development for the city follows the investment in a new Southern ring road, the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village and the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Initiative.”

Jane Meek, corporate director of economic development at Carlisle City Council, welcomed the new independent stores.

She said: “The key for town centres in the future is a variety of shops - that’s what people are looking for.

“We still want to see the larger stores but it’s the small independents that offer variety.

“It’s positive news to see them opening and I firmly believe there is an opportunity for independent shops in Carlisle.

“The Borderlands development will help support that and the High Street Fund is there to boost and support the city centre and its role as a regional capital.”

Responding to the initiative, which will in the short-term provide towns and cities with up to £150,000 to fund detailed project proposals, council leader John Mallinson said: “It will make a difference.

“High streets have suffered for a number of years, mainly because of the big internet companies.

“Perhaps in the future, more bespoke, smaller businesses will creep in, and we need to do what we can to assist that.”