A COUNCILLOR has launched a debate over whether Cumbria should have a second city.

Penrith Councillor Jonathan Davies, who founded the independent Putting Cumbria First party in 2017, questioned if it was time for another town in Cumbria to be granted city status.

There are 51 cities in England and Carlisle is the only city in the county of Cumbria.

Barrow has a population of around 57,000, making it the second largest urban area in Cumbria after Carlisle with a population of 107,000.

Former Barrow mayor and Councillor Bill McEwan said he believed it was unlikely the town will ever become a city.

“I don’t think we’re big enough,” he said.

“Industry-wise we could challenge cities but although we are the biggest town in Cumbria I don’t think we’ll ever be more than a big town.”

There is a traditional view that towns must have a cathedral in order to be granted city status but it is not required.

Henry VIII created six cathedral towns in the 1540’s and gave them all city status by letters patent.

This created the association between having a cathedral and city status.

However, it is possible for all UK towns to apply to become a city, whether they have an Anglican cathedral or not.

There are 18 cities without a cathedral, such as Preston, and 13 towns which have an Anglican cathedral but do not have city status, including Blackburn.

“I don’t think I would like to call us a city,” Cllr McEwan added.

“Carlisle is a nice little city and I don’t think we’re on that scale.

“We’re the biggest town in Cumbria and I think that’s good enough for me.”

City Status is a rare honour granted by the monarch on the advice of the government by letters patent and is normally awarded on special royal occasions.

There is no set criteria as in other countries.

In 2012, to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 25 towns applied to become cities after an invitation was put out.

The three winners were Perth in Scotland, Chelmsford in England and St. Asaph in Wales.