The lease on Carlisle's indoor market has been put up for sale.

The Market Hall, located on Scotch Street, has been a feature in the city centre for more than a century. It is one of the few covered Victorian markets left in the UK.

Now the lease on the market for sale, with a guide price of more than £4m.

The market is host to a broad range of independent traders, from grocers to cafes, and giftware.

This sale, however, does not mean that the market is destined for radical change.

The lease on the market was first granted in 1991, with the physical bricks and mortar of the market still under the ownership of Carlisle City Council.

The transfer of the lease, therefore, will not mean changes are on the horizon.

Leader of Carlisle City Council, John Mallinson explained: “The City Council own the freehold to the Market Hall and we are aware that the current tenant has been marketing their leasehold interest for several months.

"If a sale is concluded the market stall holders will be unaffected as the City Council will still be their immediate landlord.

“If a sale is achieved we look forward to working with the new tenant to enhance the market hall as a key part of the city centre retail offer.

“The Market Hall is an iconic building that supports local traders and coming out of the lockdown, we encourage shoppers to stay local and shop local.

"It has a wide range of stalls and there’s lots high quality food takeaways. Please support your local market and sample what’s on offer.”