2-854-179 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

HRH The Duke of Gloucester and the Mayor of Carlisle, councillor Ian Stockdale, with other dignitaries standing beside a plaque commemorating the official opening ceremony of The Lanes Shopping Centre. The contract for The Lanes Shopping Centre was awarded to John Laing Construction, Northern Division in October 1982 taking approximately two years to build. The H type configuration of the complex was built in reinforced concrete frames on pile caps and ground beams, with a large basement area at the lower end of the site. The complex included four major stores, 50 smaller shopping units, a three-level county library, 27 housing units, offices and a multi-storey car park. The shopping centre was officially opened on 19th November 1984 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.