Carlisle is to get an enterprise zone. 

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed during his Autumn Statement today that the city's bid had been successful.

Securing the status could mean that up to 2,500 new jobs will come to the city.

It will be in place at Kingmoor Park by April 1 next year.

Ross Nicolson, (Estates Director), Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd, said: "This is great news for Kingmoor Park and Carlisle."

The city had to compete for the status against areas around the UK. A joint bid was submitted by Kingmoor Park’s managers and Carlisle City Council, with support from city MP John Stevenson.

Enterprise zones are attractive to investors, offering simplified planning, funding for superfast broadband, a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 for each company over five years and a guarantee that all new business rate income in the zone will be retained in the local area for at least 25 years.

Money generated from a zone would help to increase prosperity across the city, it is hoped.

The Kingmoor site covers 122 hectares (just over 301 acres), of which 73 hectares (around 180 acres) is developable.

The focus of an enterprise zone is expected to be on logistics and the nuclear energy supply chain.

George Beveridge, chairman of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Kingmoor Park has long been identified as an important strategic gateway site for Cumbria and a key employment site along the M6 corridor.

"It deserves enterprise zone status as it is a successful and established site with a sound track record for development.

“Enterprise zone status could allow the park to double in size with the long term commitment of Kingmoor Park Properties, which has already invested more than £35 million there."