If you happen to have read the news this week then you are sure to have seen that Carlisle failed to get through to take part in the City of Culture in 2013 contest. It has led to calls from some groups and individuals that the Carlisle Renaissance group needs to make some serious changes to draw people back to the city.
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 to consider. 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 as the money is spent well. It has been revealed that the scheme has cost millions so far. This may be 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.