RETAIL FOR CARLISLE ON THE UP

National occupiers fill former House of Fraser site, boosting footfall and confidence in Carlisle city centre's evolving retail landscape wider.

Following the closure of the former House of Fraser department store, occupying the prime location on English Street in Carlisle, local commercial property surveyors, Carigiet Cowen have been working tirelessly, getting the space reoccupied. The building was acquired by the current owners Future Delta Limited in November 2024, and shortly afterwards, the current tenant Sports Direct vacated. Whilst it was likely expected, that the building would sit empty for a prolonged period of time, the building is now on the brink of the whole of the ground floor being re-occupied all by national tenants.

The successful lettings to Caffè Nero, Tesco Express, Sostrene Grene and VPZ have helped fill the frontages of the building onto English Street. This has included new shop fronts being installed, improved signage and a constant flow of customers moving in and out of the various retail offerings.

Company director, Ben Blain who has spearheaded each of the new letting transactions comments: ‘When we were asked to get involved with the marketing of this building, we understood that it was a key flagship store for our city, Carlisle. Therefore, we were very conscious that we needed to attract the best offerings we could in the most suitable timescale, while ensuring the viability of any agreed deals worked for the new owners.

‘I am delighted that Carigiet Cowen secured new lettings to four separate national operators for various uses within a timely manner.’

Marketing has continued since the early success. Furthermore, Carigiet Cowen has secured a further 10,000 square-foot letting within the majority of the remainder of the ground floor accommodation to a national surgery user.

Ben adds: ‘Achieving a large floor plate letting to a national surgery operator brings an added avenue of footfall to this property, and this section of Carlisle city centre, including St Cuthbert’s Lane.

‘At present, this operator occupies various buildings around the city, so bringing all of those surgeries under one roof and improving footfall into the High Street is a real bonus for Carlisle at this challenging time. This will effectively fill the whole of the ground floor, leaving us with mainly the upper floors to fill in time.’

While the future uses for the upper floors are not set in stone, Carlisle city centre is poised for the University of Cumbria campus to be built on the citadel site at the foot of English Street, within close proximity to 26-40 English Street.

‘Exactly how the future will play out is still unknown but strategically, the building sits in a good position and having multiple national tenants within the ground floor, including a national convenience store, could lend itself well towards some kind of residential living accommodation.’

Elsewhere within Carlisle city centre, Carigiet Cowen have been successful with various sales and lettings of other commercial buildings. This includes recently putting the Pizza Express investment on Devonshire Street under offer, which is due to complete shortly, and the sale of I Love Cafe on St Cuthbert’s Lane.

Any local landlords or potential tenants, wishing to discuss commercial property matters, are welcome to contact Ben and the team. The firm offer a range of commercial property services, including agency work, valuations, lease renewal and rent reviews, property management and rating work.