Published at 11:25, Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Any sign of positivity in Carlisle’s future growth is to be welcomed and a vision for new use of the old Crown Post Office is certainly heartening.

But oh dear, optimism comes with a caveat. As is so often the story in this city, good news comes edged with more than a touch of bad.

Owners of the impressive Warwick Road building had hoped to coax a boutique hotel chain to take over the premises. But several attempts with a number of companies failed.

They failed because it was felt by potential investors that Carlisle wasn’t ready for the kind of leisure attractions and amenities enjoyed elsewhere. Neither was any business particularly impressed by the building’s decrepit and neglected neighbour, the former Lonsdale Cinema.

For Carlisle’s growth to continue to be limited by unfortunate reputation for being locked in the past, with longstanding reluctance to risk change and progress, is nudging close to tragic.

Perception of a city’s spirit is everything when outside investment is invited – and needed – to secure brighter, more vibrant activity. Carlisle suffers a downbeat perception.

The city is fortunate that owners of the Post Office building are working around the problem to buck a trend. But there’s more to be done here.

Rebranding might be a start. But radically lifting expectations and risking change will secure a new spirit for old Carlisle.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk