Following the meeting at Tullie House on Friday 18^th October 2019 with business owners and their staff regarding Victoria Viaduct, John Stevenson MP met with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Clarke MP.

Mr Stevenson and Mr Clarke discussed how the demolition of the Central Plaza Hotel has been impacting on local businesses, those employed in those businesses and residents in Carlisle.

Simon Clarke has agreed with John Stevenson that he will be investigating this matter further and that he will report back to John as soon as possible, so that Carlisle business owners can be updated further.

Following this meeting, John Stevenson said: “I recognise the seriousness of this situation for both businesses and residents of Carlisle, which is why I immediately organised the meeting at Tullie House last Friday.

Following that meeting I have met with Simon Clarke MP, Treasury Minister to discuss the temporary closure of Victoria Viaduct due to the instability of the Crown Plaza. There are of course issues with cost of demolishing a building and I have been assured that he will respond to my concerns as soon as possible, which I am pleased to hear.

I will continue to make representations on behalf of the businesses on Victoria Viaduct as it is not acceptable that their businesses remain inaccessible.”