20 years celebrated at Carlisle Enterprise Centre

A unique piece of artwork produced by a local student will be unveiled on Thursday, 15 November to celebrate Carlisle Enterprise Centre’s 20th anniversary.

Organised to coincide with National Enterprise Week (12-18 November), The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Mallinson will unveil the painting by 14-year-old Carlisle Gillford Centre student, Stuart Burge. Entitled "The 9:15 to Newcastle", the artwork was chosen as the winner of a recent schools arts competition and will soon hang pride of place within the Enterprise Centre’s main reception.

The painting was chosen as the winner as it depicts several of the local landmarks and activities around the city centre, including the Viaduct and Carlisle’s railway heritage (signified by a Virgin train). The winning artist will be presented with a prize, an iPod Nano, for his efforts and his school will also receive £200.

The Enterprise Centre opened in 1987, the building was formerly the headquarters of the electricity board and later Norweb. It was originally Carlisle’s first power station and a Unitarian Church. The first tenants began using the centre in 1988 and to date, more than 500 tenants and almost 300 different businesses have used the site. Between 150 and 200 people currently work from the centre.

Based on James Street, the Carlisle City Council facility provides managed workspace for more than 40 small businesses in a range of workshop, studio and office units, available on a monthly licence.

The centre gives new and existing businesses the best possible start, including access to a range of services. Its well-equipped conference suite and boardroom is also available to hire.