Located in the north-west of England, Carlisle is a vital service and the economic capital for much of Cumbria, south-west Scotland and parts of Northumberland, with a catchment of over 500,000 people.
Whilst Carlisle has a rich and tempestuous history dating back to the Romans and beyond, it is now embarking on a new journey. It has the assets and opportunity to put itself on the map as the capital of Cumbria and the city of the Lake District, with genuine untapped potential.
Many of Carlisle’s strengths are closely linked to its location, its physical infrastructure and the quality of its urban and rural environments. It enjoys excellent north – south road connectivity via the M6 and is similarly advantaged by west to east road and rail links. With a principal train station on the West Coast Main Line, London is under three and a half hours by direct services to the south with Glasgow an hour to the north.
Carlisle Lake District Airport continues to develop and grow and can accommodate prearranged private and commercial flights. Ambitions to further develop it as a regional gateway provide exciting future opportunities that will benefit the city and wider region.
Carlisle has a prosperous economy which is already home to many international and successful brands. The locational advantages and skilled workforce have helped to power thriving engineering, manufacturing and logistics industries with the presence of Pirelli, McVities and the legendary Eddie Stobart brand being testament to this.
Beneath these headline firms sit a diverse and growing range of innovate SMEs. The recent award of Kingmoor Park Enterprise Zone and a healthy supply of forward employment land bodes well for continued growth.
Home to the University of Cumbria, with its focus on innovative learning and preparing students for employment, partners in Carlisle continue to work together to ensure the city is at the forefront of sustained economic growth through creating the next generation of entrepreneurs and enterprise. Growth in the student population affords its own opportunities for the city moving forward.
Owing to its predominately rural and stunningly beautiful setting, with the Solway Estuary to the west, the Pennines to the east, the northern Lake District to the south, the Eden Valley to the south east and Northumberland National Park in the north east, the local landscapes offer unrivalled leisure opportunities.
Coupled with the world heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall and the city’s distinctive shopping, leisure and cultural offerings, Carlisle is a destination for entertainment, fun and freedom.
Carlisle is a city where business, education and the public sector share an ambitious view of the future. The city and those active within it are signed up to the benefits of growth, providing the certainty needed for investment decisions and developers alike.
Spearheaded by the new Carlisle District Local Plan (2015-2030), which sets out a coherent, clear and shared vision, the city is embarking upon the most ambitious levels of growth ever. Housing growth on a scale not previously experienced is at the heart of this vision.
Carlisle offers enormous potential for those who want to be part of a growing city. For more information, please take a look at the Carlisle Story.