News & Star readers have been speculating about the future of Carlisle's Debenhams store.

The landmark site will be closing for good on May 12, after the company went into administration.

The city council, property management and The Lanes management are currently weighing a variety of options to try and find a series of options for the building’s future use.

Readers have taken to social media to make suggestions for the building's future use.

Ian Ballantyne said: "The top floor would make some sort of entertainment venue which already has a good size cafe, move the stalls out of the old market and put proper units on the other two floors.

"The covered market at the moment has some of the best food in the town with so much choice with Greek, Thai, Italian and so on but it closes at tea time where as this could make a brilliant night time venue."

Rachael Barker agreed, adding: "Would be good as an entertainment complex, maybe bowling, ice skating etc. Somewhere for youths to go."

Zoe Graham said: "Primark should take it over and take on the staff that are losing there job from Debenhams. Their stores are massive elsewhere and I think having a bigger one will make The Lanes more money."

Not everyone was as positive, however.

Nic Barnes said: "They should fill it full of pictures of what the town centre used to look like when it had shops and open it as a museum for nostalgia.

"Give people something to look at instead of the derelict wasteland that Carlisle has become."