The Renaissance isn’t over yet

The Organisation still has plans for the city yet.

If you have read the news this week then you are sure to have seen the news that Carlisle did not get through in the contest to be the City of Culture in 2013. It has led to calls from some groups and individuals that the Carlisle renaissance group needs changes to be made.

 It has been estimated that if Carlisle had become the City of Culture then it could have attracted 350,000 visitors to the city, potentially spending a total of ten million pounds.

The Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Carlisle has been quoted as saying that he feels the groups responsibilities should be handed over to elected officials.

 The group’s future is being reviewed by the organisations that fund it, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council and most significantly for fundings sake, the North West Regional Development Agency.

 The group, headed by Bryan Gray, has a number of plans and ideas for the development of the city. As well as the more culturally emphasised events, plans have also been made to revitalise the city centre.

 The city centre is a focus for retail, office, leisure and public services. Carlisle needs to sustain and develop its city centre for residents, visitors, and businesses. We’re working with many partners to make sure the city centre remains an environment where businesses choose to invest and can thrive, and where more people choose to live.’ Said Kelly Paterson, Communications manager of Carlisle Renaissance.

 Working with the city council and the chamber of commerce, the group has also been involved in creating a City Centre partnership that will be responsible for this undertaking. ‘In the next year we’re looking forward to kick-starting a programme of activity to improve city centre management, promote footfall, secure investment, and develop the quality of Carlisle’s retail and commercial offer.’

My View

Though a lot of criticism has been aimed at the bid for City of Culture I think there are a few important things. It has been ridiculed in some quarters but some good has come from it. Carlisle has a great local history and a number of great attractions to visit. Though maybe not enough to compete on a national scale.

The Renaissance scheme, while being responsible for the City of Culture bid, also has a number of other responsibilities. Plans to try and revitalise the city centre as a retail point and increase tourist numbers to the city are still valid.

Increased funding to these areas can be no bad thing, as long is rthe money is spent well. It has been revealed that the scheme has cost millions so far. This maybe because of the build up to the aforementioned bid. Spending on arts and culture, while it can be seen as wasteful is needed not to attract people, but to entertain the people who live here already.

Public demand for the empty Lonsdale cinema to be turned in to an entertainment centre has seemingly been ignored. The entrance to the city that is Botchergate is littered with empty shops.

I am not sure if giving control to elected officials will make any difference, but the failure of this bid should not lead to the end of this project.

Carlisle failed in itts bid for City of Culture

Been in the works for years.

One of the biggest parts of the early Carlisle Renaissance plan was to demolish most of Rickergate, (Some of which had only been rebuilt after the 2005 floods) to make way for a new town square development. This square would have contained hotels, shops, offices and coffee shops.

When I bought this up again my friend was shocked as he said he felt there were other areas in the city that could do with the attention, not one with a number of old buildings.

In fact Labour has gone as far to say neighbours were bullied by the Conservative run council in one of their latest election papers. This could just be empty posturing though.

I wrote an article that I never used more than a year ago about the S.O.S group and their fight to save Rickergate. At the time the proposals were stilling going ahead so they feared losing their homes.

  

Obviously now they do not have to worry about the fate of their area. Judging by their website they still are not the biggest fans of the Renaissance scheme. However they bring up issues such as the state of Botchergate, which as one of the main entrances to the city, will be a lot of peoples first view of the city centre.

http://www.sosrickergate.co.uk/

　

　

“A housing group is celebrating after a report by Inspectors supported their fight with the council. Plans to demolish houses and buildings in the Rickergate area of the city, including the civic centre, fire station and magistrate’s court have been at least postponed due to the report by Government Inspector Patrick Whitehead.

The overwhelming feeling was one of　 having been　vindicated in our fight to save our homes, community and history. The inspector’s take on the situation validated our stance. This take was as important to us as the way he expressed his thanks for our contribution to the Enquiry noting our　professionalism and positive approach.　

The original plan for redevelopment was a plaza with a four star hotel, shops and offices. The plan was deemed to have ‘serious consequences’ for residents of the houses.

“The inspector’s report was particularly damning of the Renaissance plans for the Rickergate area　pointing out how the aspirations of the consultant’s report did not match the Council’s proposals for the use of the area or their delivery proposals in the way of attracting funding.　This was great – a respected　professional was voicing many of our concerns　and　making a decision which the Council could not ignore.”

Obviously now they do not have to worry about the fate of their area. Judging by their website they still are not the biggest fans of the Renaissance scheme. However they bring up issues such as the state of Botchergate, which as one of the main entrances to the city, will be a lot of peoples first view of the city centre.

http://www.sosrickergate.co.uk/

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