Premier Inn adds Central Plaza site in Carlisle to its development pipeline
Whitbread PLC, the parent company of the Premier Inn hotel chain, has agreed terms to acquire the former Central Plaza site in Carlisle from Cumberland Council which will see the land redeveloped into the latest generation Premier Inn hotel.
The former Central Plaza site has been effectively ownerless for several years and has been subject to escheat by The Crown Estate. Carlisle City Council demolished and cleared the hotel that stood on the site during 2020 after it became structurally unsafe.
Cumberland Council has been in dialogue with the Crown’s advisors to acquire the site and enable the redevelopment of this important and prominent vacant piece of land.
To further support the redevelopment of the land, the council has used an allocation from its UK Government Future High Streets Fund programme to undertake a series of enabling works, including repairs to the gable wall of the Green Room Theatre, located on West Walls.
Working with property consultant CBRE, proposals were sought to redevelop the prime site in Carlisle’s city centre. Whitbread was selected as the preferred developer due to the company’s position as the UK’s leading hotel operator and the strength of its proposal for the regeneration of the site.
The company intends to lead the construction of the new hotel, subject to planning permission from Cumberland Council, and own and operate the completed hotel.
Whitbread Acquisition Manager, Jill Anderson, commented:
“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.”
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, 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.”
Whitbread intends to submit a planning application for the new hotel this summer and is targeting an opening date before the end of 2028.
