The owners of Carlisle's The Lanes Shopping Centre have objected to plans for a nationwide discount retailer to set up shop at a city retail park.

In plans submitted by Savills on behalf Carlisle City Council, three units at Gateway 44 Retail Park in Carlisle will be merged ahead of the arrival of what is expected to be a Home Bargains store.

The vision has, however, been met with opposition from The Lanes over concerns that the city's retail centre could shift as a result of this development.

The objection comes after a difficult year for the The Lanes which has seen key retailers Debenhams and H&M announce their departures.In a statement on behalf of the owners of The Lanes Shopping Centre, Avison Young stated: "The owners have been a significant investor in the city centre since 2012."

Readers have offered their own takes on the situation, with many welcoming the proposals.

News & Star website user MCGC stated: "The city's retail centre moved a long time ago and I don't think not having Home Bargains up at Kingstown with ample free parking and numerous retail outlets nearby is gonna make any difference to the city centre now, the pandemic has put the last nail in the coffin due to everyone changing the way we've had to shop."

One reader offered a fresh perspective, reliant on some anecdotal evidence of the success of a Home Bargains store in nearby Lancashire.

Peter Brown stated: "There is a large Home Bargains in Morecambe. So popular, it's open 8:00 to 20:00 and permanently full of customers, due to the huge variety of stock and low prices."

Another online user offered the opinion that the Lanes should be looking to add stores such as Home Bargains to their offering given the high-profile departures of mainstays such as Debenhams over the past year.

They stated: "The Lanes management should be trying to attract Home Bargains into one of their city centre retail units. The old Debenhams store could be an attractive proposition for Home Bargains."