New phase of Carlisle’s Tullie multi-million-pound revamp begins

Work has begun on the second phase of the redevelopment of Carlisle’s Tullie museum.

The venue is undergoing the most significant development in over 30 years and will rejuvenate parts of Castle Street that have been
unoccupied for decades.

Carlisle firm Cubby Construction Ltd has been appointed principal contractor for phase two of Project Tullie, part of the museum’s ambitious redevelopment plan for the next 10 to 15 years.

Cubby completed work on the first phase of the project, the regionally significant Costume Collection, in 2021.

Phase two will give the museum a revitalised entrance and atrium space, new shop, and a new ground floor gallery dedicated to the city.

Contractors have been on site since December 2023 carrying out preparations and has now started work, with the former atrium space already stripped back ready for refitting, the museum said.

Tommy Cubby, managing director of Cubby Construction, said: “The team at Cubby Construction are immensely proud to undertake another significant project for Tullie.

“It’s fantastic to be involved in this iconic scheme which significantly enhances not only the museum but also revitalises several historic buildings on Castle Street.”

London-based architects De Matos Ryan is the lead designer on the project and have been developing the scheme for the past 15 months.

It has previously worked on notable projects including Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery in the National Railway Museum in York, York Mansion House, Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green, and York Theatre Royal.

Although Tullie has been an independent charitable trust since 2011, it still works closely with the local authority managing the building and collections on behalf of Cumberland Council.

Tullie will reopen in summer 2024.

The project has been made possible with funding by the Government, including support from the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund. It has been further supported with £2 million of public funding the Government administered by Arts Council England.