Carlisle MP visits University of Cumbria Citadels campus site

Professor Mennell led Julie Minns MP on a tour starting outside the Hospital Wing, followed by the vacant retail units on English Street, which gave a view of where the Gateway Building will be located, the Woolworths/ Burtons building (Hub Building) and the former Armed Forces Careers Centre, location of the Carlisle Business Exchange.

Once inside the buildings a series of CGI images were displayed together with QR codes that brought the space to life through the use of augmented reality.

She also updated the MP on steps that are expected in 2025 to advance the £78 million project.

Accompanying the Vice Chancellor and MP were representatives from Cumberland Council, Borderlands Partnership, Day Architects and Identity Consult who are supporting the university with the planning and consultancy around the project.

Above: Carlisle MP Julie Minns (front, centre) touring the University of Cumbria Citadels campus site in Carlisle with representatives from the university, Cumberland Council, Borderlands Partnership, DAY Architects and Identity Consult

The Carlisle Citadels campus project is one of the city’s major regeneration schemes and is supported by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal

The lion’s share of the overall funding required, £50 million, is being provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal with an additional £5.2m from the Carlisle Town Deal Fund.

The university is also contributing to the cost of the scheme. A formal request to the Borderlands Partnership Board is seeking an additional £8 million of funding and is awaiting approval from Government.

Also, a formal process to appoint a contractor continues with a decision expected by spring 2025. Once a contractor is appointed, it is anticipated that construction will pave the way for the first phase of the Citadels campus to be ready to welcome students from 2027.

Above: (L-R) Andrew Seekings, chief executive of Cumberland Council; Tracey Slaven, chief transformation officer at University of Cumbria; Carlisle MP Julie Minns; and Professor Julie Mennell DL, Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL said: “We are happy to have this opportunity to update the city’s MP on progress made to date and the next steps of this major scheme. Work has continued behind the scenes, with asbestos removal and soft strip works preparing the site in readiness for when a contractor is selected - all with a view of building work starting in 2025.

“It is an exciting time for the university and the wider city as we move towards realising our vision and into the next phase of delivery for this transformational project.

“As we await a decision on our funding request, we continue to work closely with our partners including Cumberland Council and the Borderlands Partnership, to ensure that the project is ready to progress when the next milestones are reached.”

Carlisle MP Julie Minns said: "It was very helpful to visit the site earmarked for the University of Cumbria’s new campus – a development that marks another step in the development of our university and one that offers the potential to further transform for Carlisle and its historic city centre.

"Having thousands of students attending lectures and studying in the city centre will be a huge boost for Carlisle’s city centre, with local businesses set to benefit from having a large number of vibrant and diverse new customers on their doorstep.

"This new campus is being made possible thanks to government funding and along with the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine will further raise Carlisle’s profile as an exciting place to study."

WATCH: A rendered flythrough of the University of Cumbria's Carlisle Citadels campus project