BUSINESS bosses in Carlisle have welcomed plans for a new £2m bar, restaurant and hotel development in a former bed centre on the Viaduct.

Daniel White and Jack Lee from the Hell Below bar on Devonshire Street - and their business partner Matty Boak - have submitted plans to the council for the building, next to the derelict Central Plaza Hotel.

Their vision includes bars, a restaurant and function room and, on the upper floors, eight boutique suites, including a penthouse.

Legal firm Cartmell Shepherd, which has its headquarters at Viaduct House in Carlisle and would be near neighbours to the new development, has welcomed the plans.

Carol Fish, Cartmell Shepherd’s marketing director, said: “We think it’s really good news. We welcome the development.

“When the Central Plaza Hotel was up and running we used it for lunches and used their functions rooms.

“It will be great for our staff if these plans get the go ahead. We will certainly be wanting to support it.

“It would also improve first impressions of visitors entering the city over the viaduct.

“We would very much welcome the development and investment at this end of the city.”

And David Jackson, commercial director of The Lanes Shopping Centre, said: “I think it’s fantastic that space is going to be redeveloped.

“It is quite visionary and that can only be a good thing.”

Hell Below will close at the start of November and the new development will open a few weeks later. It will employ about 80 people when it is all finished.

Councillor Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for economy, enterprise and housing for the city council, said: “We are keen to support the vitality and growth of Carlisle.

“In the city centre we want to see a diverse range of businesses and facilities that will attract more visitors to a variety of different leisure facilities.

“We want to see our city thrive and welcome investment opportunities.”

Preliminary work has already begun on the building which Daniel, 28, says is haunted.

“When we first came in all kinds of things were happening,” he claimed. “The radio was switching itself on - even when we had physically turned it off and unplugged it.

“There were also some strange noises. It seems to have stopped now that we are in the building a lot.”

The building has great views across the city and is close to the train centre, which is part of the Borderlands project.

News of the plans went down well on social media.

Joan Kilgour said: “Good idea. Good luck.”

Caroline Dale Edwards said: “Good luck lads hope it goes well.”

Claire Armstrong said: “Wishing you all the best with this... sounds like a great idea. Love it! Good luck guys.”

Victoria Claire Irving said: “Sounds great looking forward to it being open.”

The bed centre closed in March.