CITY leaders have welcomed plans for a new 'ambitious, multi-million pound leisure development' which could see a former Carlisle city centre car park transformed into a food drink and entertainment venue, creating around 160 new jobs for the area.

A planning application has gone in to Carlisle City Council to convert part of the Lowther Street Cark Park (the site of the former Her Majesty’s Theatre) owned by Daniel Johnston (1982) Ltd. into STACK Carlisle – an entertainment, food and drink venue.

If successful, it will see the creation of a container village made up of around 50 shipping containers with a retractable glass roof which will house five bars, 10 street food outlets, a central plaza with a balcony and a stage area for live music - and the applicants say it will create around 160 jobs.

Mayor of Carlisle Mike Mitchelson said: "I would welcome any initiative coming to Carlisle that would improve the economy generally but also the evening economy.

"I am sure that something like this would be very popular with the young people especially and obviously it should provide job opportunities which would be very good.

"Also, it could be an attraction to bring people into Carlisle, I think it will be a great attraction to bring people into the city to visit and stay, to experience it."

Cumberland Shadow Authority deputy leader and city councillor Lisa Brown said: "I was excited to see that the STACK might be coming to Carlisle.

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"With the new university campus bringing more students into the city centre it is an opportunity for us to boost that night-time economy for the town centre that we have long talked about in Carlisle.

"It means a great opportunity for small businesses and social enterprises giving them space to flourish, and that this will bring in more visitors to the city centre so places like the market hall, a popular place for street food, can also benefit."

Culture, heritage and leisure portfolio holder on Carlisle City Council Stephen Higgs said: "I know that these places have been really successful over in the North East and obviously it would be very interesting to see what they could provide in Carlisle for us.

"I think we have to look at all of these things as opportunities to bring new life back into our high streets which have struggled over the last few years."

If planning permission is given the green light, the applicants say the aim is for the site to be open by late summer 2023.

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