06 December 2006

£1 million kick-starts Carlisle Renaissance

The first phase of 'Carlisle Renaissance', the city's ambitious regeneration vision, has been kick-started thanks to a £1 million investment by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The investment will help to develop a comprehensive strategy setting out Carlisle's long-term priorities, and will fund a number of measures specifically aimed at strengthening the city's economy.

Led by Carlisle City Council, who will also be investing an additional £500,000 in the first phase, the programme includes a business support package to encourage business investment, creating up to 100 new businesses and 152 new jobs in the city.

Business counselling, training courses and assistance with business plan development will form part of the programme, which will also have a focus on helping tourism operators in Carlisle with online trading and business development and is designed to develop the tourism potential of the city and its connection to Hadrian's Wall.

A complementary 'into work' package will also be developed for some of Carlisle's most deprived wards. Through motivational and vocational training and customised work placements, the project will assist up to 220 people to take advantage of new employment opportunities.

Developing Carlisle's tourism and cultural offering also features within the plan. This will also have a strong focus on introducing new events, festivals and illuminating key historic buildings.  In addition, the plan will also examine how Carlisle Castle can be better linked to the city centre to increase visitor numbers.

Paul Lakin, Head of Development at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said:

"The Agency's investment is an important step in developing a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for Carlisle which will create a more successful, more sustainable city in which people and businesses want to live, invest and visit. All of our partners are committed to pushing this vision forward and making a real difference to the city's future economy."

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said:

"The successful NWDA bid provides a major boost to the Renaissance of Carlisle. The schemes provide residents with further opportunities to get back into employment and improve their skills. The funding will also help develop Carlisle"s tourism and cultural provision.

"This is another major step forward for the city and shows a strong commitment from our partners Cumbria Rural Enterprise, Carlisle Housing Association, Cumbria Tourism and Cumbria County Council. We welcome the funding and hope to build on it for future regeneration initiatives."

ends

Notes to editors

• Developing plans to capitalise on ongoing private sector investment around Carlisle is a designated transformational action in the Regional Economic Strategy - an action which must be prioritised to really drive regional growth.

For further information please contact Rachel Ormandy, Senior Press Officer on 01925 400237 or 07810 528449 or Rachel.Ormandy@NWDA.co.uk

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk  

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region's outstanding quality of life