Whitbread has agreed a deal to acquire the former Central Plaza site in Carlisle city centre from Cumberland Council.
The site, which has been effectively ownerless for several years and has been subject to escheat by The Crown Estate, will be redeveloped into the latest generation Premier Inn hotel, subject to planning.
Carlisle City Council demolished and cleared the hotel that stood on the site in 2020 after it became structurally unsafe.
Working with CBRE, Cumberland Council has been in dialogue with The Crown Estate’s advisers to acquire the site and enable its redevelopment.
Mark Fryer, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “I am delighted that an investor has been secured for the site. It is another important step forward for the regeneration for Carlisle city centre. Work is already underway on city centre transformation schemes and the Citadels Railway Station redevelopment, with plans also in place for the University of Cumbria site too. All will bring transformational change to the city.”
Jill Anderson, acquisition manager at Whitbread, added: “We’re excited to bring Premier Inn to the heart of Carlisle, providing high-quality, affordable hotel accommodation in a prime and accessible location. This development underscores our commitment to expanding Premier Inn across the North of England, supporting local economies, and creating lasting employment opportunities. We’re proud to be investing in Carlisle’s future and bringing this important city centre site back into long-term use.”
Whitbread intends to submit a planning application for the new hotel this summer and is targeting an opening date before the end of 2028.
