Primark will open in Carlisle next year. 

The discount clothing company told the News & Star that they hope to have the new store open by next winter.

The promise of a new store brings with it hope of a much-needed jobs boost for the city and the potential for further investment.

The company however, could not confirm where they would be opening or how many jobs would be created.

In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Primark will be opening a store in Carlisle with an expected opening date of winter 2016.”

Primark has long been rumoured to be eyeing up a suitable plot in Carlisle with speculation linking them to the BHS store in The Lanes shopping centre.

This year The Lanes won planning permission to convert the premises occupied by Superdrug, Poundland and the former JJB Sports store into one huge shop, fuelling speculation Primark was on its way.

If those plans come to fruition it would create a site with 5,345 sq m of retail space.

Councillor Heather Bradley, Carlisle City Council’s lead on the economy and enterprise, said: “It’s obviously very good news for the city because it’s has been one of the retailers that people have been asking for now for many years.

"Primark are very selective in where they open stores and have been selective in what they require from a premises, so I’m delighted that they are going to open one in Carlisle.

“It will bring jobs to the city and I would hope that some would go to people who have worked previously in retail but maybe lost their jobs for whatever reason.

“It also emphasises the way major national retailers are looking to Carlisle to open premises because they see that the city is thriving and growing.”

The city’s MP John Stevenson said: “It's fantastic news for the Carlisle, if anything it's long overdue.

"It demonstrates the growing strength of the retail market in the city. Carlisle will be seen as a destination for people who wish to go shopping.”