A BUSINESS collective believes that a new mixed entertainment venue will inspire 'confidence' in Carlisle.

Carlisle Ambassadors, which has a membership of around 630 local businesses and aims to 'encourage more business growth within Carlisle and Cumbria', has thrown its backing behind Game On! Carlisle, the city's newest entertainment venue which offers bowling, mini-golf, and augmented-reality darts.

Michelle Masters manages Carlisle Ambassadors on behalf of Cumberland Council alongside running her own businesses, which include a self-catering company, and explained how the new entertainment venue could have a positive effect on the city.

She said: "I think any business that opens in Carlisle is great. It creates investment and it creates confidence in the city and it also creates jobs and entices more business into Carlisle.

"It's not just for the city centre but for the whole of Carlisle. I think it is great.

"It makes more of a choice for visitors, with more leisure centres for visitors and for young people it is great because it is in the actual city and you can actually get to it."

Ms Masters also explained how Game On! Carlisle will inject 'confidence' into other local businesses and outsider investors.

"It will have a knock-on effect. Other businesses will have to supply it food or drink-wise or with just anything and it is that ripple effect of supporting local businesses.

"It will also give people confidence to open up businesses in Carlisle and that is what we try to promote. Our role is to make Carlisle a better place to live, work, invest in, and visit and so anything we can do to get investment into Carlisle and promote new businesses.

"Promoting new businesses that open up gives people confidence and people looking at investing in Carlisle will look at all the new businesses coming in so it is that kind of confidence for other people as well."