CARLISLE is on the up, with new cafes, bars and shops springing up across the city. The young team at the Customer Care Hub of The Cumberland know where’s hot and where’s not, and have some good advice for anyone looking to get the best out the city.

If you want to be shaken and stirred by a cocktail

Catt Duncanson says: “If I’m out with friends, we’ll go down Devonshire Street for cocktails. There are quite a few nice places there and a new one called Maggies – great atmosphere, great people.

“There’s a place called In The Meantime, opened just off Devonshire Street as well, which is great.”

Alex Haley adds: “Eaten by Monsters on Devonshire Street is a great place to hang out, or you can go to Lloyds or Walkabout on Botchergate, which are always lively.

Daniel Chandler prefers the more traditional pub scene for a night out.

He likes to go to the Woodrow Wilson on Botchergate and The Sportsman and King’s Head in the town centre.

The Mail: The team at The Cumberland enjoy what Carlisle has to offerThe team at The Cumberland enjoy what Carlisle has to offer

If you want a great meal at a reasonable price

Andrew Thomson likes Dutch Uncle in Carlyle’s Court, but says the nearby Shabby Scholar just edges his vote as the best place to have a good time.

“It has everything - really good tapas, a nice, warm environment, it is locally run by local people and is a little different. They make an effort for you.”

Alex Haley heads to Botchergate if he’s out for a meal.

He advises: There’s a really good Thai restaurant called Royal Outpost above The Cumberland pub nearby and the Shaha Tandoori restaurant is good.

“I’d also recommend the Quarter Lounge bar and grill in the city’s historic quarter.”

The Mail: There are plenty of great places in Carlisle to keep Liam happyThere are plenty of great places in Carlisle to keep Liam happy

If you want a quirky café

Luci Inglis prefers to go to retro Cakes and Ale café in the maze-like Bookcase bookshop in Carlisle Street for her coffee and cakes.

Daniel Chandler says the boho feel of Foxes in Abbey Street, and says its excellent all-day breakfast can’t be beaten; while Tilly Lovett heads to Bruce and Luke’s café on St Cuthbert’s Lane for their bagels and donuts.

If you want to go shopping

For Tilly Lovett, there’s a great range in the city - Primark is always worth a visit, and a trip to Lush, if she’s with her young niece, for some smellies, bath bombs and make up.

Alex Haley lists big-name stores Footasylum, Top Shop, and River Island as his favourite stores, as well as House of Fraser.

“There is a decent variety of shops in town. There is also S4, the skateboard fashion store which is really good,” he adds.

S4 also gets the nod from Andrew Thomson who says: “They do a lot of Cumbria-influenced clothing.”

If you want to go to a show

Luci has booked tickets for big musical productions, Grease, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, at The Sands Centre later this year, while Andrew Thomson is looking forward to seeing some rock and pop bands at The Old Fire Station and The Brickyard.

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