IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
James Street, CARLISLE, CA2 5AY

Formerly a Unitarian Chapel this is now part of Carlisle Enterprise Centre on Victoria Viaduct

Constructed in 1937 as an extension to the older buildings of the City of Carlisle Electricity Undertaking, which front on to James Street and Nelson Bridge (see Image ). Electricity generation had been moved from here to Willowholme power station in 1927, though offices, stores and a maintenance depot remained at this site. It was later owned by Norweb. In 1987 the buildings were converted into a business complex - The Carlisle Enterprise Centre. Offices, workshops, meeting rooms etc are rented out by Carlisle City Council. An application to list the site was turned down by Historic England in 2015. The decision summary http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1425470&resourceID=7 contains information on the history and condition of the buildings. It says this rear extension is in the Moderne style (Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streamline_Moderne ).

A Victorian power station, built by J W Laing for Carlisle Corporation. There is a dated inscription above the door 'George White Esquire Mayor 1899' - see photo http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5234337 . The building, located in James Street, was expanded in 1910-11 as demand for electricity increased. Generation of electricity ceased at this site when a new power station was opened at Willowholme in 1927, though it remained in use as an electricity depot for several more decades. An extension was built at the rear in 1937 see Image . In 1987 the buildings were converted for their current function as a business complex - The Carlisle Enterprise Centre - where offices, workshops, meeting rooms etc are rented out by Carlisle City Council. An application to have the site listed was turned down by Historic England in 2015. The decision summary http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1425470&resourceID=7 contains information on the history and condition of the buildings.

Front door to the building shown here Image . The stone inscription says : GEORGE WHITE ESQUIRE MAYOR 1899. 'Carlisle City Council' is written on the glass, beneath the current city coat of arms. The building is now in use as the Carlisle Enterprise Centre. The railings are the original ones (City walk guide by Carlisle Library and Denis Perriam https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/542/827/410329351.pdf ).

A decorative parapet on top of the building shown here Image . The building dates from 1899, and the plaque is carved with the Carlisle city coat of arms in use at that time - for more information, see another example on the market hall Image .

Public baths on James Street, opened in 1884. Inside is a splendid Turkish bath, added in 1909 - one of the few Victorian/Edwardian examples remaining in use in England today. An interior view and description can be seen here http://www.victorianturkishbath.org/0NOWOPEN/England/Pix/carlisle_w.htm . The building is now called the Victorian Health Suite, and forms part of "The Pools Complex" which has more modern swimming and gym facilities. There is an inscription above the main door - see Image .

Entrance to Image . Francis Peter Dixon was mayor of Carlisle four times.

Ordnance Survey cut mark benchmark on the Baths in James Street. More information about the mark can be found on the Bench Mark Database at http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm27591.

This OS cut mark can be found on the SW face of the James Street Baths. It marks a point 18.388m above mean sea level.

The cranes were set up in June 2008 to dismantle the damaged rail bridge upstream Image The work was being carried out as part of a flood alleviation scheme, to improve flow in the river. The buildings on the left bank are the Crown Speciality Packaging factory (formerly Metal Box).