Plans approved for new Carlisle bar & café
Plans to change a shop into a Carlisle city centre shop into a new bar and café have been approved by planners at Cumberland Council.
Last updated 20th Aug 2025
Plans to change a shop into a Carlisle city centre shop into a new bar and café have been approved by planners at Cumberland Council.
The planning application was originally submitted in June and the decision to grant planning permission was made on Tuesday (August 19).
The bar, which has already opened for business, is known as The Botanic Room, and is situated in a unit at the junction of Lowther Street and Warwick Road.
According to a planning report, recent uses of the ground-floor unit include an AGA shop and estate agents. A vintage shop, Warwick Bazaar, occupies the first and second floors of the building.
It states: “The proposal is for the change of use of the ground-floor and basement of the former retail unit to a café/bar called The Botanic Room. This would provide a bar and seating on the ground-floor with toilets and store in the basement.”
According to the report the proposed change of use will, to a certain extent, add to the concentration of drinking and eating establishments within the area.
The report states: “However, the scale of the development is compatible with the locality and would not give rise to an unacceptable concentration of drinking establishments, despite adding to overall characterisation by increment.
“Rather, it would be complementary in amongst the other related leisure/food and drink offers. Accordingly, the principle of development is acceptable, subject to all other material considerations being satisfied.”
Relating to the impact on the residential amenity it states: “It is noted that most properties around the application site are commercial.
“That being said, there are a few upper floor flats and a hotel, The Halston, in the vicinity.
“Taking into consideration that the premises is located in the city centre, the small size of the premises limiting occupants, and that the proposed operating hours are consistent with the permissions given to nearby bars, it is not envisaged that the proposal would adversely affect the living conditions of neighbouring residents.”
The report concludes that, in overall terms, the principle of the change of use to a café/bar is acceptable as the development accords with planning policies and it would enhance the vitality and viability of the city centre.
It adds: “The alterations proposed to the shopfront are appropriate in scale and design, enhancing the street scene and retaining the character and appearance of designated heritage assets.
“It is also considered that the development would not adversely impact residential amenity or highway safety.
“In such aspects the proposals are compliant with the objectives of the relevant development plan policies and the application is recommended for approval.”