An £80 million campus is set to be created in Carlisle as part of the Borderlands scheme.

The campus is part of a vision for a 'city gateway' to be developed at the railway station and Citadels area, with higher education, shopping business, and cultural facilities.

The project is one of several being worked on under the Government’s £394.5m Borderlands Growth Deal.

The campus proposal aims to act as a catalyst for the Borderlands to encourage new business and employment opportunities, while regenerating the city centre.

It would be the second phase of the Gateway scheme, following a £15 million revamp plan for the city's railway station.

The University of Cumbria is working with Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the campus plans.

It said: "The University is committed to working with the city and county councils and Cumbria LEP in the further development of proposals for a £80m campus at the Citadels."

The university has agreed that Lancaster University Management School will have a presence at the campus.

It will extend its successful business engagement programmes into North Cumbria and the surrounding areas.

The collaboration will concentrate on upskilling in the workplace, increasing higher education in the area and working with employers to meet new skills demands in areas such as digital, professional services and health and wellbeing.

Professor Julie Mennell, University of Cumbria vice chancellor, said: "This new partnership with Lancaster will enable both universities to make a considerable impact on economic growth across Cumbria and the Borderlands region.

"Our strategic plan sets out our commitment to widen and deepen our impact further, to address a greater proportion of Cumbria’s and our wider region’s higher-level skills demands and to meet the challenges of low productivity and an ageing population and workforce.

"We believe firmly in partnership working to deliver our and our region’s success and we look to collaborate with nationally and internationally-leading partners wherever possible to improve our offer and relevance to learners, employers and our region.

Prof Steve Bradley, Lancaster University interim vice chancellor added: “The universities of Lancaster and Cumbria already work successfully on a number of projects in Cumbria in relation to SME engagement and Lancaster has a proven track record of delivering value to SMEs with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

“Our joint work has also supported the Cumbria LEP’s development of the area’s local industrial strategy.

“Having a presence in Cumbria, where our experts can be near and actively support local SMEs, is geographically important to our success in stimulating economic growth – a key regional goal for Lancaster University.

"Skills needed in the region have been identified as digital innovation and logistics where Lancaster has particular strengths.”

Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal recognises the importance of universities in raising the economic performance of places and I’m pleased to be working with the University of Cumbria on this exciting project which will strengthen their status as a higher education institution in Cumbria as well as contribute to the revitalisation of this historic part of Carlisle.”

John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “The Borderlands deal will provide transformational change for the city.

“We encourage new business and employment opportunities and the regeneration of Carlisle city centre and look forward to working with partners to progress these proposals. This is an exciting time for the city.”