Darren Shield

Carlisle's 190-year-old Dixon's Chimney and Shaddon Mill are presented as enduring landmarks of the city's industrial heritage. Built in 1836 for the Dixon family and engineered by Sir William Fairbairn, the Grade II* listed mill later fell into disrepair before Story Homes converted it into housing. Architect Jez Marvin and developer Fred Story describe a conservation-led approach that retained exposed cast iron, brick arches, sandstone and other original features while adding modern elements such as an external glass lift. The author reflects nostalgically on living in a Shaddon Mill penthouse and argues that the building's character comes largely from what the restoration left unchanged.

Twenty people—14 men and six women—have been charged in an investigation into the alleged theft of approximately £1 million of plant machinery from hire companies across the UK. The alleged offences occurred across 19 counties, including Cumbria, between September 2020 and February 2025, and involve conspiracy to steal, burglary and handling stolen goods. Police have not disclosed details of the Cumbria incidents. All defendants are due to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on September 9.

Carlisle-based Orchard Tree Surgery Ltd entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation after the COVID-19 pandemic, rising operating costs, staffing difficulties, reduced turnover and lost contracts made the business unviable. The company’s estimated deficiency to creditors is £916,627, with assets expected to realise little or nothing. Director Andrew Edgar and private lenders are expected to lose their investments, while creditors include HM Revenue and Customs, two banks, equipment finance providers and other suppliers.

Penrith Town Council has objected to Persimmon Homes’ proposal for 60 homes east of Carleton Heights, describing the planning application as inadequate and raising concerns about traffic, parking, drainage, flooding, local services and the loss of open land. More than 50 public objections have been submitted, while United Utilities and Westmorland and Furness Council officers have requested further information. The council’s education team says local schools currently have sufficient capacity. Persimmon argues that the scheme’s 18 affordable homes, open space, biodiversity improvements and other economic benefits outweigh its impacts, and the application remains under consideration.

The former Star Anise Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant at 32–34 Main Street in Brampton is due to be auctioned by Auction House Cumbria with a guide price of £95,000 plus fees. The freehold property includes the former restaurant on the ground floor, a two-bedroom maisonette above, and two parking spaces. It remains separately listed by Edwin Thompson for £160,000. The auction is scheduled to take place at The Halston Hotel in Carlisle on September 10.

Darren Shield describes an approximately 8-kilometre circular walk from Orton through Orton Scar, Beacon Hill and the Gamelands Stone Circle. The route offers views of the Howgills and Lakeland fells, limestone uplands, a Victorian Jubilee Monument and a 4,000-year-old stone circle, while avoiding the crowds associated with the nearby Lake District. The walk ends with a short return to Orton village, reinforcing the writer’s appreciation for the area’s quiet countryside.

Around 200 people explored Carlisle on a self-guided murder-mystery trail celebrating the launch of M. W. Craven’s eighth Washington Poe novel, The Killer’s Mark. The route connected clues and evidence stickers with local businesses and landmarks featured in the Poe and Tilly books, ending at Bookends. Organizer Stephen Dunn said the strong turnout could encourage more literary trails, while Bookends owner Lucy Matthews noted that many participants came from outside Carlisle. A later author event at The Halston attracted nearly 300 people.

Plans for a 100-caravan holiday park near Penruddock are facing renewed opposition. The Lake District National Park Authority says the development would introduce intrusive built features, reduce the area’s tranquillity and harm views from the National Park. Natural England has requested a fuller assessment of possible effects on the River Eden Special Area of Conservation, while Westmorland and Furness Council’s ecology team seeks surveys of potential breeding habitat for curlew, lapwing and snipe. Hutton Parish Council and dozens of residents have also objected, citing drainage, traffic, landscape urbanisation and the cumulative effect of nearby holiday accommodation, which could exceed 450 units if two proposals proceed. The resubmitted application remains under consideration, with the applicant arguing that revised siting and landscaping would reduce its visual impact.

The Gretna Inn Limited, which operated The Gretna Inn in Gretna under its former name Crossways Inn Hotel, has entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation with total claims of £580,824.71. HM Revenue and Customs is the largest creditor, owed £271,859, while employees, energy suppliers, the local council and other organizations are also owed money. The company’s assets have a book value of £35,409 but are estimated to have no realisable value. The pub remains open, and FB Taverns is advertising a five-year lease for a new operator. A second company linked to the pub and director Iain William Broughton is also subject to a voluntary strike-off process.

NatPower is exploring a 1GW battery storage facility on about 131 acres of farmland at Scarfoot and Castlesteads near Plumpton, north-east of Penrith. The proposed system could store up to 8GWh of energy, making it one of Europe's largest if built at its full eight-hour capacity. Planning is currently at the environmental impact assessment scoping stage, with no full application submitted. The development would include battery compounds, transformers, roads and a transmission substation; construction could support up to 100 direct jobs at peak, while permanent employment would be modest. Consultants predict limited operational noise impacts but note potential non-significant adverse effects at nearby properties, alongside construction traffic, ecological concerns relating to Lazonby Fell and possible prehistoric archaeological features.

The former Outrageous nightclub at 77–79 English Street in Carlisle has been listed for auction with a guide price of £195,000. The three-floor, 6,150-square-foot property includes a basement and may offer residential conversion potential subject to planning approval, with the auction scheduled for October 1. The site has operated as hotels, the Citadel Tavern, City Diner, Annabelle’s, Yates’s Wine Lodge and Outrageous over nearly two centuries. Outrageous, which closed in autumn 2019, was known for its drag entertainment and LGBT-friendly atmosphere.

Plans submitted to Cumberland Council would convert the vacant Grade II-listed former YMCA building at 22 Fisher Street in Carlisle into a six-bedroom Georgian home. The property, originally built as a townhouse and later used as a Masonic Hall and YMCA accommodation, has been vacant for more than 15 years. The proposals would remove inappropriate later extensions, reopen the rear courtyard, add a Georgian-style sash window and glazed door, and preserve surviving historic features. Council officers previously supported returning the building to a single dwelling rather than subdividing it into multiple homes.

Genwise Ltd, the company connected to Lime House School, underwent major changes after entering a company voluntary arrangement in February. Nigel Rice and Jacqueline Fisher ceased to be significant controllers and resigned as directors, while David Stanley Gates became sole director. A company formerly called What2Explore Ltd was renamed Mayfair Education Lime House Ltd, and Biren Gala took control of related Mayfair Education companies. The precise relationship between the entities remains unclear, although the school says it is operating normally and has introduced financial incentives for new families following investment from Mayfair Education.

Aldi has applied to Cumberland Council for permission to sell alcohol from 6am to midnight every day at its new Egremont supermarket on East Road. The application does not change the store’s approved trading hours of 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Construction is under way, with the store expected to open later in the year and create up to 40 local jobs. Residents and other interested parties can submit representations on the licence application until September 2.

The owner of Eden Valley Barn Cottages has asked Westmorland and Furness Council to remove a Section 106 restriction requiring Rusby Barn near Penrith to operate as holiday accommodation. She argues that rising energy, cleaning and maintenance costs, shorter stays, discounts and increased taxation have made the business financially unviable, leaving her with minimal profit and risking financial ruin. A former guest is interested in buying the property as a permanent home, and the owner says she would consider an affordable-housing contribution. A previous application to remove the restriction was refused in 2013, but the new application argues that circumstances have changed significantly.

The derelict former Steam Packet pub at 51 Stanley Street in Workington is due to be auctioned with a guide price of £10,000. Auction House Cumbria describes it as a redevelopment opportunity near the harbour and railway station, although the building has not been internally inspected and viewings are unavailable. The pub dates back to at least 1873 and was later recognised as Cumbria’s only openly gay bar, attracting LGBTQ+ customers from across the county and earning international attention. It closed in January 2020 and was subsequently marketed for sale.

An inquest concluded that Graeme John Wear Elliott, 38, died by suicide in a Carlisle hotel on October 17, 2025. Eight days earlier, he had disclosed a suicide plan and access to the means to carry it out at Recovery Steps Cumbria, but that information was not passed to the mental health team supporting him. The coroner said the disclosure could have prompted further checks by Elliott's father and will issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Recovery Steps. The inquest also criticised shortcomings in NHS care coordination, record-keeping and communication with Elliott's family, though the trust's subsequent review and remedial measures meant it would not receive a report. The coroner highlighted the disproportionate number of young male suicides in Cumbria and the importance of accurately recording deaths as suicides so services receive appropriate resources.

Planning documents confirm that Matalan is fitting out a new store in Unit 2 at St Nicholas Gate Retail Park in Carlisle, formerly occupied by Oak Furnitureland. An application submitted for retail park owner Custodian Property Income REIT Plc seeks permission for a small rear roof extension to house an internal lift, providing step-free access to the store’s mezzanine. Cumberland Council has not yet determined the application.

The Lake District National Park Authority approved permission for Swiss Court Guest House at 25 Bank Street, Keswick, to operate as a guest house, permanent home or short-term holiday let. The decision followed objections from Keswick Town Council, which argued that unmanaged holiday lets contribute to nuisance and damage neighbouring communities. Planners said the property's prominent location near existing pubs and its mixed-use terrace distinguished it from other refused applications. The approval allows holiday accommodation with or without managers' accommodation, but imposes a condition banning hot tubs and similar facilities because of their potential impact on neighbouring homes; the property also cannot be used as a second home if occupied as a private dwelling.

Plans have emerged for a 43-hectare, 15-megawatt Berrier Solar Farm on grazing land about nine kilometres west of Penrith and 460 metres from the Lake District National Park boundary. The scheme would power around 4,500 homes and include ground-mounted panels, a substation, access tracks, fencing and security cameras. An environmental impact screening request submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council identifies potential visual effects on the national park, flood-risk areas and possible glare affecting nearby Berrier Airstrip, while the developer argues that a full assessment is unnecessary. Trees and hedgerows would be retained, sheep grazing would continue, and the project promises at least 10% biodiversity net gain and a community fund. Arise Renewable Energy UK and Firma Energy Ventures expect to submit a full planning application in summer 2026, with a decision anticipated in 2027.

Plans propose restoring the River Mite’s historic course near Eskdale by lowering embankments, creating ponds, reopening drainage routes and restoring parts of Gill Beck. The scheme would excavate about 4,600 cubic metres of material, establish seasonal fish habitat and allow more water to spread across the floodplain. Assessments indicate that flooding would increase within the site as intended but would not raise downstream flood risk or affect nearby properties. The Lake District National Park Authority must decide whether the works require prior approval under agricultural permitted-development rules.

An inquest concluded that Roger and Jane Cutts most likely died on October 4, 2025, nearly three weeks before they were found at their home in Skinburness. Roger is believed to have suffered a fatal leg injury and severe haemorrhage in the garden, while Jane fell and sustained a fatal head injury while trying to help him. Advanced decomposition prevented definitive postmortem findings, but the coroner found no evidence of criminality and attributed both deaths partly to frailty. The couple had become increasingly isolated after Jane developed dementia and Roger struggled to care for them both.

Retrospective listed building consent for restoration work on Nenthead’s Grade II-listed 1877 Memorial Pump and Canopy was refused by Westmorland and Furness Council. Conservation officers objected to the visual impact and potential corrosion risks of the column bracing, the bright yellow and white paint scheme, paint spillages, and insufficient information about welding a repaired crocodile and finial back onto the structure. The decision said the proposed works could lead to further deterioration and loss of historic fabric.

Cumbria police officer PC Stuart Ayling is due to face a public misconduct hearing at Cumbria Constabulary headquarters in Penrith over allegations that he mishandled a public complaint and knowingly made false entries on a minimum standards checklist. The allegations concern diligence, discreditable conduct, and honesty and integrity. No finding has been made, and details of the original complaint and alleged false entries have not been disclosed. The hearing is scheduled for August 10 and 11, with limited public and press seating available.

A temporary campsite next to Hillcroft Caravan Park in Pooley Bridge has been approved after applicants introduced measures to prevent campers from using the permanent caravan park’s toilets and showers. Key-coded doors, wardens, wristbands, signage and booking conditions will restrict access, while temporary toilets will collect wastewater for treatment outside the River Eden nutrient-neutrality catchment. The Lake District National Park Authority can inspect the site, and permitted-development rights may be withdrawn if the waste arrangements are breached or the site operates beyond 60 days a year.

The Lake District National Park Authority approved the conversion of redundant barns at Woodend Farm near Thornthwaite into three homes for local residents: two two-bedroom properties and one three-bedroom property. Local-occupancy restrictions will prevent them from becoming second homes or holiday lets. The historically significant early 20th-century model farm will retain its main barn form and important architectural features. Plans were amended to protect a veteran oak, and revised access and parking arrangements resolved an initial highways objection. No public objections were received, and permission was granted subject to conditions on July 31.

Archaeologists excavating the site of a new Aldi in Whitehaven uncovered the well-preserved remains of an 18th-century glassworks, including five furnaces, bottle glass, brick floors, a staircase and a 22-metre tunnel. Evidence indicates at least three phases of glassmaking before the works closed by 1819, while remains of a later 19th-century pottery were also found. Further analysis, publication of the excavation results and transfer of the archaeological archive to Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum are required under the site’s planning conditions.

Redmayne 1860 has moved from Wigton to a restored Georgian townhouse in Carlisle, positioning the city as the centre of its bespoke tailoring operation. Led by Tom and Claire Mahon, the firm combines traditional freehand “Rock of Eye” cutting and long apprenticeships with a growing American client base that accounts for roughly three-quarters of its work. The company has received a King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade, is expanding its client facilities and plans to introduce complementary products such as shoes, ties and pocket squares. Its continued focus is on preserving rare tailoring skills while sustaining a distinctly Cumbrian business with global reach.

Cumberland Council refused retrospective planning permission for alterations to The Gate Cafe in Cumwhinton, saying its graphite-grey composite cladding, recessed frontage, extensive glazing and modern detailing were out of keeping with the former village shop and surrounding red stone and brick buildings. The cafe use and front seating area were considered acceptable, but separate approval may be required for rear seating and illuminated signs, and the report did not confirm formal enforcement action.

Chris and Rachel Royal are preparing to reopen the Kings Head pub on Bridge Street in Appleby after it was closed for more than three years. Following extensive repairs and refurbishment, the historic building will initially open from Friday to Sunday, offering beers, wines and cocktails but no food. The owners plan live music for the opening weekend, with a function room expected to become available for free hire from late September, and may expand opening hours as the business becomes established.

Campaigners and residents are opposing Seasons Holidays’ proposal for 101 luxury lodge bases near Penruddock, arguing that it should be assessed alongside a separate application for 100 caravan pitches and an already approved 103-lodge scheme. Concerns include cumulative effects on the landscape, traffic, dark skies, flooding, drainage, wastewater and pedestrian safety. Council officers have requested further evidence and currently do not support the application on flood and environmental grounds, while highways officers have sought more information. Seasons Holidays says the £10 million project would be built over ten years, create at least five permanent jobs and generate around £420,000 annually for the local economy.

A pop-up campsite of up to 50 pitches beside the Brackenrigg Inn in Watermillock has been approved to operate for up to 60 days under permitted development rights. The Lake District National Park Authority could not assess highway safety or neighbour impacts through this process, although planner Catherine Campbell expressed concerns about limited access visibility, nearby homes and access works being investigated separately. Natural England required wastewater to be managed so no additional phosphorus enters the River Eden Special Area of Conservation. The operator will use portable toilets serviced by Border Loos, and the campsite must follow the submitted waste-disposal arrangements and remain within the 60-day limit.

A five‑property estate near Lamplugh has been listed for £950,000, offering 14 bedrooms across a main residence, rental cottages and holiday lodges. The four‑acre site includes hot tubs, saunas, gardens and a large outbuilding with garage, workshop and office space, providing potential for both living and income generation. Marketed by Davidson and Robertson, the complex is positioned near the Lake District National Park and within reach of local towns including Cockermouth, Workington and Whitehaven.

A Keswick-based retailer, Kindred Spirits Retail Limited, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation with liabilities of nearly £328,000 and limited recoverable assets, leaving an estimated shortfall of almost £297,000. The largest creditor is Kindred Spirits Group Ltd, while other significant debts include loans from NatWest and unpaid taxes to HM Revenue and Customs. Employee claims exceed £13,000, but only preferential debts are expected to be paid. The company’s former premises on Main Street are now available to let, and its related hospitality company remains active. Inquiry emails to the business received no response.

A 400-year-old pub at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall, the Kings Arms in Bowness-on-Solway, has been listed for sale at £550,000. The freehold property includes a bar, restaurant, four letting rooms and a beer garden, and continues to operate while on the market. Positioned at the start or finish of the Hadrian’s Wall Path, it serves residents and visitors, with selling agent Fleurets highlighting its strong reputation and established customer base.

A proposed 100‑caravan holiday park near the A66 has drawn objections from the Environment Agency, which raised concerns about sewage discharge and potential pollution of Skitwath Beck. Westmorland and Furness Council’s flood authority said it lacks sufficient information to confirm surface‑water management and flood‑risk mitigation. National Highways requested further traffic assessments before September. Friends of the Lake District and local residents warned of cumulative landscape harm, increased traffic, and loss of rural character, citing nearby large developments. The developer said the revised plan includes a new layout and landscaping to reduce visual impact, and the application is still under review.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust dismissed nurse Hannah Margaret Horsburgh after allegations she falsified patient monitoring records. The Nursing and Midwifery Council received a referral in April 2024 and later approved her request for agreed removal from the professional register, noting the dishonesty was serious but limited and that she no longer intended to practise. The regulator stressed the allegations were not formally proven because the case concluded without a full hearing.

Gleeson Homes has appealed Cumberland Council’s refusal of its plan to build 163 homes on farmland in Houghton, submitting a revised proposal for 155 homes after updated flood‑zone maps required layout changes. The developer argues that the council’s limited housing land supply creates an urgent need for new homes and claims the refusal contradicts the authority’s own officer report regarding landscape impact. The appeal will be decided through written representations, with residents able to submit comments until August 19.

A 25‑year draft masterplan for Carlisle outlines major changes to reduce city‑centre traffic, expand pedestrian zones, revitalise vacant buildings, and create new cultural, leisure and retail attractions. Proposals include reimagined historic lanes with micro‑retail and public art, redevelopment of empty department stores for creative and community uses, enhancements to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park, and regeneration of areas around the city’s retail core. The plan emphasises improving accessibility and providing new reasons to visit, aiming for a more vibrant and connected city centre by 2050.