Carlisle city centre is set to come alive on Saturday 18 October, as Cumberland Council marks the official reopening of Market Square and Greenmarket following a major regeneration project funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The £5.5 million transformation covers over 5,000 square metres, creating a vibrant, multifunctional space designed to support local businesses, increase footfall, and offer a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. The works include new paving, street furniture, feature lighting, and natural stone elements, with Greenmarket now serving as a dedicated event space.
Over £100 million is being invested in high-quality schemes that will help reshape the heart of the city into a greener, more dynamic place. These projects will enhance accessibility, support local growth, and help build a city centre that’s fit for the future.
The celebration will begin with an opening speech from Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, with Councillor Anne Quilter also in attendance.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“This is a fantastic moment for Carlisle, the new-look Market Square and Greenmarket will be a space for everyone, a place to meet, shop, relax and enjoy events all year round. I am very proud of what Cumberland Council has been able to achieve with this regeneration project, and I hope everyone will come out to celebrate the opening.”
The day will begin at 10am and close at 4pm, featuring a Quirky Eclectica Market stretching through Market Square, showcasing local makers, artists, and traders. In the Greenmarket event space, visitors can enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, with food and drink provided by the Rolling Pub Company, a Carlisle-based mobile bar business known for its unique ex-army truck setup.
Cllr Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant & Healthy Places, added:
“We’re proud to be part of this celebration in the heart of Carlisle, this space is about more than paving and lighting, it’s about people, community, and creating a place where Carlisle can thrive.”
A highlight of the day will be two performances by Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, a high-energy brass band blending New Orleans Street music with 90s club classics. Their roaming sets will bring music and movement to Scotch Street, Devonshire Street, and the wider city centre.
The event marks a new chapter for Carlisle’s city centre, with the redesigned space ready to host markets, festivals, and community gatherings for years to come.
Other upcoming events include:
- Weekly Friday open-air markets
- Saturday 11 October - Carlisle Teenage Market
- Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November - Taste Carlisle in Carlisle Cathedral grounds and entertainment in the Greenmarket (plus Fireshow in Bitts Park on Saturday 1 November)
- Friday 7 November - Children’s Remembrance Service
- Sunday 9 November - Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday
- Saturday 15 November - Quirky Eclectica Market (monthly)
- Sunday 16 November - Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch-On
Plus, monthly Farmers’ Markets in Carlisle Cathedral grounds on the first Saturday of each month.
Improvement works to the Carlisle Southern Gateway, Carlisle Station Gateway and Devonshire Street also form part of the investments in high quality projects that mark a significant step forward in transforming the heart of the city into a greener and more vibrant place.
Backed by national funding including the UK Government’s Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, the coordinated regeneration programme supports long-term growth, sustainability, and high street renewal, while shaping a Carlisle city centre fit for the future.