Last updated 10:41, Friday, 19 September 2008

As yet another bar in Carlisle closes (Suede) the amount of commercial properties now to let or for sale in the Warwick Road/ Lowther Street area of the city is increasing daily, making our city centre look very run-down.

That, in itself, does not help those businesses left, leaving them with less passing trade.

The city urgently needs investment with realistic rent and rates.

The Lowther Arcade would make a lovely centre for local shops, for Christmas shopping or for students to show their creative pictures or art projects.

Talk of more large supermarkets only creates more car-borne journeys. We have an excellent Tesco on Victoria Viaduct, which is easy to walk to.

With the Botchergate south area in decay, our city is dying. We need our councils to work with the private sector, not spend thousands of pounds on fees for consultants and getting nowhere.

MARTIN REEVES
Lowry Hill
Carlisle