WORK on two shop units in Carlisle - that will house a new River Island store and shoe retailer Deichmann Shoes - has begun.

The shops in The Lanes Shopping Centre will open in the Autumn in a unit formerly occupied by clothing retailer New Look.

The large New Look unit was split into three to attract retailers not wanting a huge space to fill. New Look moved to a new store on Grapes Lane inside the shopping centre.

It was hoped that the third unit might be taken on by a food retailer, such as a cafe or restaurant, but an operator has yet to be found.

David Jackson, commercial director of The Lanes Shopping Centre, said: "Work is ongoing at these units.

"We are still looking for a tenant for the third unit."

Also in the shopping centre, another store is on the move.

The popular Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery shop on Globe Lane is moving to bigger premises.

Mr Jackson said: "Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery are taking over the unit formerly occupied by clothing retailer Blue Inc.

"The unit should be ready towards the end of September.

"We also have a seasonal shop - New Seasons - on the corner of the Central Square - so there is a quite a bit of activity going on and it's good news that we've got these three."

Mr Jackson said summer in The Lanes has been "quite busy" and a play area, for children, in the square has proved popular.

"The weather hasn't helped in recent weeks," said Mr Jackson.

"Footfall last Saturday, August 10 was between 4,000 and 5,000 down and that's more or less to do with the weather."

Stores are expecting to be busy in the next few weeks as parents shop for school uniform and shoes before going back to school.