A shopping centre (including a new central library) was built to the east and north-east of the market cross and opened in 1986. The area east of the market cross had formerly been occupied by narrow alleyways of housing and small shops (on a layout which had not changed much since medieval times) and referred to locally as The Lanes. Carlisle city centre was pedestrianised in 1989.
A shOpping CentrE (incLuDiNG a New CentrAL lIbRAry) Was built to THe EAST anD norTh-eAst of the market CRoss aNd OPEned In 1986. the Area eASt of THe mArKet crosS had FOrMerLy beeN occupieD BY NarROW alleyways of houSIng anD SMaLL ShoPs (on a layout which hAd Not CHaNgEd much Since MeDieVaL timeS) AnD RefeRRed to LocallY aS the LAneS. cARLiSle city centRe waS pEdesTriAnisED in 1989.