SHAPING CARLISLE’S FUTURE

What’s our purpose?

The Great Border City is a broad-based consortium that unites local businesses, community organisations, and civic stakeholders under a shared commitment to making Carlisle the premier place to visit, work, and live. By leveraging Carlisle’s unique position as a historic border city, the consortium seeks to celebrate the area’s rich cultural heritage while driving forward-looking economic growth.

Through collaboration and partnership, we aim to enhance the city’s appeal for residents, attract new businesses, and welcome visitors from across the region and beyond.

FORGING CARLISLE’S PATH

Our Mission

Our overarching mission is to strengthen Carlisle’s economy and community spirit through a variety of initiatives. These include promoting local enterprises, creating inclusive events and festivals that highlight the city’s history, and developing strategies to draw in fresh talent and investment.

By working hand in hand with local authorities, educational institutions, and other regional partners, we believe Carlisle can become an even more dynamic place that balances progress with respect for its past.

UNLOCKING CARLISLE’S POTENTIAL

Next Steps

Following the successful ballot earlier this year, the Great Border City Business Improvement District (BID) is now moving into its mobilisation phase.

Cumberland Council is currently issuing levy bills to eligible businesses as part of the statutory process that enables the BID to begin operating.

A Board of Directors has now been established to guide the BID’s work and ensure levy funding is used transparently and effectively for the benefit of businesses across Carlisle.

Alongside this, work is underway to put the delivery team and partnerships in place that will support activity in areas such as business promotion, events, and engagement across the city.

Work is underway to prepare the BID’s first programme of activity, focused on supporting footfall, strengthening the local economy and building confidence in Carlisle as a place to visit, work and do business.

By working hand in hand with local authorities, educational institutions, and other regional partners, we believe Carlisle can become an even more dynamic place that balances progress with respect for its past.

Further updates will be shared with businesses as activity progresses.

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