• £1m investment confirmed by Northwest ERDF programme
• Additional £520K of support from the NWDA
• Carlisle’s public realm and Tullie House Museum to benefit

The Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) today confirmed over £1½ million of investment to help boost Carlisle’s appeal as a heritage tourism destination.

The major investment will go into Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery as well as public realm works to improve the link between Hadrian’s Wall and the historic centre of Carlisle. 

At Tullie House the funding will support the creation of a spectacular new Roman Gallery that will use cutting-edge interactive technology to recreate life in Roman Carlisle and along the Wall.  Public realm improvements will focus on the area between Tullie House and the Hadrian’s Wall Path and will include orientation hubs at key junctions, way-markers, information boards, bespoke seating and public art.

Forming part of a wider programme of investment in Carlisle’s Historic Quarter and along the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, the project aims to create a step-change in the quality of Carlisle’s tourism product and establish Carlisle as the western gateway to Hadrian’s Wall. Carlisle’s cultural heritage has the potential to make it a leading heritage city, where local people and businesses benefit from the economic boost brought by increased tourism.

Nick Brooks-Sykes, Director of Tourism at the NWDA said:

“This exciting development will help to establish Carlisle as a must-see, world-class gateway to the western and central sections of Hadrian’s Wall. The city has huge potential to attract many more visitors, to capitalise on its Roman Heritage and to nurture the distinctiveness which gives it visitor appeal.

“The new Roman gallery at Tullie House will be capable of attracting national and international visitors to Carlisle, generating new and additional visits for the city, Hadrian’s Wall and the region.”

The ERDF programme is backed by the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) – a group of senior representatives from across the region. The Group was formed to monitor, oversee and advise on the delivery of the programme.
Euan Cartwright, a member of the European Regional Development Fund Programme Monitoring Committee and Vice Chair of Cumbria Vision, said:

“Hadrian’s Wall is already an internationally-renowned tourist attraction and its links with Carlisle offers huge potential to increase the number of domestic and international visitors coming to the area.

“Making it easier for pedestrians to move between the historic quarter, Tullie House and Hadrian’s Wall set in aesthetically pleasing surroundings will significantly enhance the visitor experience of Carlisle and create a public space which local people can be proud of.”

Cllr Mike Mitchelson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said:

“This funding is a major investment in our cultural heritage and will provide a welcome boost to the local tourism economy. The new gallery and tourism trail will allow us to capitalise on our strong Roman heritage and will attract international, as well as national visitors, to the city. We can now move forward with these exciting and innovative schemes.”