WORK is underway on a £50,000 'pop-up park' in Carlisle city centre.

The new park, located in the Greenmarket adjacent to the Old Town Hall, will, according to the council, 'provide opportunities for individuals and families to relax, eat, drink and socialise whilst in the city centre with additional seating, artificial grass and planting'.

It will also be used to 'stimulate a local discussion' on how the Market Square and Greenmarket can be better used in future and contribute to city centre revitalisation.

Local contractors have started work on the site with completion expected by end of this month.

Cllr Marilyn Bowman, portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, said: “Greening the Greenmarket has been designed to bring calming green space into the city centre and to provide a place where shoppers can stop, rest, play, drink and eat before continuing shopping.

"The new temporary feature will be used as a focus for consultation, to pilot test ideas, and engage with local people, businesses and visitors.

"It will help grow and diversify the economy.”

The items making up the temporary installation have been designed and procured in such a way that they can be re-used elsewhere in the city centre or on council green spaces as required.

A temporary CCTV camera with coverage of the new facility is also included within the scheme.

Managed by Carlisle City Council - ‘Greening the Greenmarket’ - in Carlisle’s pedestrianised area will "create and promote a safe and healthy environment for local trade and tourism in the high street’s economies reopen post Covid-19 restrictions", the council said. 

The installation is being provided as part of the government’s Welcome Back Fund, a nation-wide scheme backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with the goal of supporting the economy as it reopens by providing a safe and welcoming environment for local trade and tourism.

Councils across England have benefitted from £56million of ERDF funding to support the return to high streets safely and help 'build back better' from the pandemic.

READ MORE: Questions asked about 'value for money' in pop-up park plan