PLANS to turn a former bed centre in Carlisle into a new bar and restaurant have been formally submitted to the city council.

The £2m complex - which is the vision of Dan White and Jack Lee from the city's Hell Below bar - and their business partner Matty Boak - will see the huge building on Victoria Viaduct transformed into a new venue called Within the Walls.

Plans submitted for the bar and bistro are for alterations to the shopfront together with new gates and railings. The existing timber shopfronts, glazing and door would be removed and replaced.

The bed centre building was built in 1892, the same period but slightly later than the Central Plaza hotel next door which was in 1880 and the Viaduct House building at the end of the Viaduct block to the left.

This whole section of the city grew around the expansion and introduction of the railway with the Viaduct Bridge becoming a major arterial route across the line of the city walls and into the central areas.

The bed centre building underwent several changes of use in its time - it supported a general ironmongers, an employment exchange and offices above. Documents submitted to the council say: "One of the advantages is that the lighter and more transparent glazing panels will offer a better insight to the interior and by default, out onto the street again, helping to maintain vitality and interest in a location where pedestrian interaction is fairly limited."

The new complex would also have a function room and boutique suites.

It will employ about 80 people when it is all finished.

Hell Below, on Devonshire Street, will close in November and Within the Walls will hopefully open a few weeks later. All of the staff will be transferred across to the new site.

Daniel, 28, said: "The restaurant will be formal, not fine dining but good service and will offer a good experience."

The restaurant will use local produce and will be eco-friendly, cutting down on its plastic usage.

New wrought iron railings will be installed in the alleyway between the venue and the former hotel next door and a floral arch will be put up so customers can drink outside but not have a view of the derelict building.

Jack, 24, said: “This area of Carlisle has been neglected and needs something like this to bring it back. It’s a huge economic boost for the city."

Some areas within the complex will be sublet to small, local businesses.

Carlisle Bed Centre closed in March blaming the closure and loss of trade on the derelict Central Plaza hotel.