Cumberland Council is bringing fresh energy to Carlisle’s historic centre with a vibrant new mural inside the iconic Lowther Arcade.
Plans for the mural were officially approved yesterday by Cumberland Council’s planning committee, as part of the wider Carlisle Southern Gateway regeneration project. This initiative, focused on improving the streetscape along English Street, aims to create more welcoming and inspiring public spaces throughout the city centre.
Originally built in 1904 for the Carlisle Old Brewery Company, Lowther Arcade is a Grade II listed building linking Lowther Street to English Street. While preserving the building’s historic charm, the new mural will be painted on an internal wall that is not part of its listed features—ensuring its heritage remains untouched.
The artwork will be designed and painted by Woskerski, a renowned street artist, and will feature imagery of flying geese—symbolising movement, unity, and transformation. The mural will be delivered in collaboration with Blank Wall Assassins, a non-profit organisation celebrated for injecting creativity and life into urban spaces.
This mural is the latest addition to Carlisle’s growing street art trail, blending the city’s rich heritage with modern artistic expression. Funded by the government’s Town Deal, the project supports Cumberland Council’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the city centre, boost footfall, and create a lively, engaging environment for businesses, residents and visitors.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer said
“This is more than just a mural—this is a symbol of the exciting transformation happening across Carlisle.
“Each of our regeneration projects are working together to breathe new life into the city centre. We are creating a vibrant, welcoming destination for all, and I want to sincerely thank everyone for their patience as these improvements take shape.
“It is a really exciting time for Carlisle!”
Cumberland Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, agreed by saying:
“It will be wonderful to see such a vibrant piece of art being painted in the Lowther Arcade, symbolising a forward-thinking council.
“Not only will it brighten the area and make it more engaging, but it will also encourage people to focus on art, which has a multitude of health benefits, and reinforces our core value that health and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.”
Ben Heslop, Founder of Blank Wall Assassins, stated:
“We are really excited to feature as part of the wider transformation of the city centre, the fact the council has seen fit to add some more public art to the wider trail is a real boost for what we have achieved over the past five years.
“The tapestry of the city is changing in so many ways both on ground level, with the physical buildings and with the art and that is super to see. I love the way this design links to the nature of change and movement and transformation as well as featuring a wildlife species that we all see migrating around Cumbria.”
The mural will be unveiled once the artist begins work on the wall.
For more information about the Carlisle regeneration projects please go the council’s web-site.
