WORK on a major new development in the north of Carlisle has begun - with councillors heralding a boost for the city’s economy.

Gateway 44 retail park, based beside the M6 at Kingstown, has already signed up a number of tennants ahead of opening in mid-September this year.

The complex will provide a total of 42,300 sq ft of new retail space, with 15,500 sq ft still remaining on units from 2,500 sq ft to 8,000 sq ft.

It will also include a total of 181 customer car parking spaces.

Manufacturing company Wren Kitchens have agreed to take a 15,000 sq ft store on a 10-year lease with JB Global Limited, trading as Oak Furnitureland, who have committed to a 10,000 sq ft unit also on a 10-year lease.

Across the site, Costa Coffee will be opening a 1,800 sq ft drive-through unit for a term of 15 years.

International real estate advisor Savills, along with Carigiet Cowen, will market the remaining space - with the aim of filling the retail park with tenants by the time it opens up to shoppers in the autumn.

Worked by Caddick Construction started on the site last month, with a sod-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor of Carlisle Marylin Bowman, site manager Darren McKenzie, project manager Paul Dixon, plus Jonathan Green, a surveyor from Carlisle City Council.

Mayor of Carlisle Marylin Bowman has welcomed the new development, but stressed that shoppers should shouldn't abandon the city centre altogether for out of town stores.

She told The Cumberland News: "The new retail park is good news for Carlisle, and is ideally situated by the M6 to attract drivers from over the border in Scotland, plus those travelling up from the south of the county and Northumberland too.

"We should be cautious however not to divert shoppers away from our brilliant city centre, which has a fantastic variety of shops.

"If the right balance is struck in terms of bringing those in to both retail hubs, it would be a win-win for Carlisle's economy."

Leader of Carlisle City Council, councillor John Mallinson, added: “Carlisle is a growing city and this new development will create more jobs and will provide a boost to the local economy.

“We encourage other retailers and businesses to invest in Carlisle.

“The city has a lot to offer and is an ideal location for established and new businesses.”

Stephen Proudley, retail director at Savills, added: “With its prime location and close proximity to a range of nearby retailers, the new Gateway 44 development is a fantastic opportunity to acquire high specification retail space at this new retail park.

“We’re expecting good interest in the remaining units.”

Of the four vacant units that still need to be filled, three are sized at 2,500 sq ft, and one is 8,000 sq ft.

Details on tenants that sign up to join the retail park will be announced in due course.