A new boutique hotel, restaurant and shops could be on the cards for Carlisle – to transform some of the most iconic and historic buildings in the city.

Cumbria County Council has put together a submission for Government funding to develop the Citadel buildings, which will be empty when it moves to new headquarters on the city’s Botchergate.

It has confirmed it is asking for £6.5 million from a Westminster pot for local growth.

Documents seen by the News & Star show it could lead to the buildings, dating back to the early 1800s, being revamped into a mix including restaurants, a hotel, a supermarket, other shops and flats.

Cash is also being sought to develop the front of the nearby railway station.

Plans are in the early stage, council officials stress.

A senior business leader said it could be the right scheme to make “a huge difference”.

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said developing such an iconic area of Carlisle was important to the future of the city.

“It’s the historic gateway to the city and it’s the first thing you see when you get off the train,” he said.

“In every aspect it’s a key area for development and something that should be developed to a high quality in order to get the best offer.

“We do require more development and we need people to be living in the city as well as restaurants and retail units.

“From a chamber point of view, it’s something that we support. It could be the right scheme to make a huge difference to the perception of Carlisle. It’ll inspire people who live here. I’m very proud of our city and want what’s best for it.”

The move would transform a corner of Carlisle.

The nearby top of Warwick Road has in recent years become home to new restaurants and a high-end hotel, giving an example of how development can change the feel of an area.

Officers from Carlisle City Council have supported the county council with its application.

A report prepared for its economy and environment overview and scrutiny panel this week reveals potential areas for development.

The report states: “Specifically funding is being sought to deliver essential infrastructure to improve connections to and within the site and to assemble lease holdings to create a single consolidated development site which could be taken to the market.

“The bid submission is based on an indicative end use of a mixed use scheme comprising of restaurants, boutique hotel, modest supermarket, new comparison retailing and residential units.”

It also states that a bid is being developed for the railway station, with funding likely to be sought to improve its entrance and forecourt. This includes moving vehicle access to the rear of the station, a new multi-storey car park and “enhanced commerical facilities and services for station passengers”.

It adds: “Identified as one of Cumbria’s key pieces of strategic infrastructure, improvements at the station have the potential to act alongside the planned redevelopment of the Citadel as a significant catalyst for wider investment in the city centre.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “While there is great potential it’s still very early days for this long- term project. A business case has been submitted to the Local Enterprise Partnership which will be considered at a meeting later in April.

“If approved it will proceed to the next stage and we’d hope a final decision would be made some time in the summer. A total of £6.5m is being requested.

“The range of potential end uses is only indicative at this stage, it’s far too early to say what would be actually developed.

“The Citadel is an iconic building and the county council is very keen that it should continue to make a positive contribution to the city.”