Saws, clamps, screwdrivers and safety equipment arranged on the Carlisle makerspace tool wall

A community workshop in Carlisle

Make it
real

Carlisle Makerspace is still in its very early days. We’re getting the workshop set up, and you’re welcome to bring a project, help us improve the space or come along and have a look.

Find an open night See the space

01Community led

Built by the people who use it.

02Beginner friendly

No expertise or polished project required.

03Three ways to join

Community, Maker or Supporter.

Inside unit 5

A workshop that’s still being made.

Unit 5 at Carlisle Enterprise Centre is an industrial workshop that we’re still setting up. It has shared benches, a small but growing collection of tools and plenty still to do. You can help us work on the space, bring a project, share a skill or use the workshop for your own build.

Workbenches, tools and storage inside the Carlisle makerspace workshop — The unit, with benches in the middle and somewhere to sit at the side.

3D printers in the Carlisle makerspace — Printers, usually mid-print.

An electronics control panel project being assembled — Projects welcome in any state.

Built in the unit

Proof of work.

We built the benches and storage together, and there is always another project on the go.

A timber workbench built inside the makerspace, with a lit upper cabinet and storage below — **The benches**The first project was the space itself.

Shelving filled with labelled drawers of screws, connectors, clips and workshop spares — **Parts library**Screws, connectors and spares. Most of them are labelled.

Rows of thin clients mounted on 3D-printed brackets and wired into a cluster — **Thin-client cluster**A group build, still becoming something.

On the benches

Bring what you’re building.

Or turn up ready to pitch in. The kit is growing along with the community.

3D printing

Two filament printers and a resin printer for prototypes, parts and experiments.

Electronics

Space for electronics, PLC and automation builds, repairs and experiments.

Workshop tools

Workbenches, hand tools, drills, clamps and a table saw for supervised use.

Shared projects

Bring your own build or lend a hand with whatever the group has in pieces.

People are makingPLC & automationRoboticsDrones3D printingElectronicsWoodwork

Your first night

Help build the space or use it for your own project.

01
Ask for a free place
Your first session is free. Please reserve a place before coming to one of our open nights.
02
Bring a project or don't
Turn up with something in bits, an idea in your head, or a willingness to help us get set up.
03
Pull up a bench
Share what you know, learn as you go or get on with your own project. There is room for every skill level.

Two makers working together on a small electronics and wood prototype at a shared bench — Making is better together.

Open to curious people

People make the space.

A makerspace is more than a room full of tools. It is a place to swap ideas, lend a hand and learn from each other.

No expertise required
No polished project expected
No need to know anybody first

Membership

Choose how you take part.

We’re starting small, with the aim of moving to a larger space as the community grows. These are our planned launch prices: join as a maker for workshop sessions, or contribute a little more as a supporter.

Community

£0Always free

Stay connected, come to public open nights, meet local makers and help us build the community.

Meet people and share ideas
Public open nights, projects and updates
No independent machinery use

Join the community

Maker

£20Per month

Scheduled member sessions for people who want to build, learn and use the shared workshop.

Shared benches and member sessions
Tool use after induction
Take part in shared projects

Supporter

£35Per month

Everything in Maker, with an extra contribution towards tools, repairs and building funds for a future larger space.

The same workshop access as Maker
Supports affordable membership
Helps the workshop grow

Become a supporter

Member access as we grow

We’ll start with scheduled member sessions. 24/7 access is planned for approved Maker and Supporter members as the space develops, with no confirmed start date. Concession members will have the same access eligibility. Building access and permission to use individual tools are separate: induction and supervision rules still apply.

Membership supports the workshop we have today. We’ll review prices against actual running costs and any future expansion. Specialist courses may carry a separate charge.

A Community Interest Company

Opening for community benefit.

We’re still establishing Carlisle Makerspace, but it will open as a Community Interest Company, or CIC. This will help keep the organisation focused on the local community it is being created to serve.

Open finances

Members can see where the money goes.

Membership fees, donations and grants are reinvested in the space: rent, utilities, tools, materials, maintenance, training and local maker activities. Our finances will be shared openly with members.

Member led

Ask for what the workshop needs next.

Members can request tools and materials we do not normally keep on hand. Priorities will be shaped together and funded where possible through membership income, donations and grants.

Concessions on paid plans

Students, apprentices and people on low incomes will be able to claim 25% off Maker or Supporter membership, making the monthly prices £15 or £26.25.

Members will need to bring their own materials and high-cost consumables or pay for them separately.

Ask about membership

Come and make

Find us five minutes from the city centre.

Unit 5

Carlisle Enterprise Centre
James Street
Carlisle, CA2 5BB

Open nights

Selected Wednesdays
Usually 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Five places per session

Getting in

Use the door set into the large dark roller shutter, then walk to the red door and press the Unit 5 intercom.

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Parking

The parking area marked below is free after 6 PM. If you’re bringing something large, email ahead and we can arrange a temporary pass.

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See upcoming dates

Open larger map

Good to know

Questions, meet answers.

Do I need to be an expert?

Not at all. Beginners, hobbyists and experienced makers are all welcome. Curiosity is enough.

How will membership work?

Our planned launch prices are free for Community, £20 per month for Maker and £35 per month for Supporter. Students, apprentices and people on low incomes can claim 25% off either paid plan: £15 for Maker or £26.25 for Supporter. Concession members have the same access eligibility as other members on their plan. Project materials and high-cost consumables are charged separately.

Will members have 24/7 access?

We plan to introduce 24/7 access for approved Maker and Supporter members as the space develops. Initially, access will be during scheduled member sessions. Building access will require separate approval, and tool-specific induction and supervision rules will still apply. There is no confirmed start date for 24/7 access.

Can I just turn up?

Places are limited in our small workshop. Check the events page for available places and booking details, or contact us before coming along.

Do I need an account?

No. Open-night reservations only ask for your name and email. Member records are managed privately by the makerspace team.

What if I don’t know anybody?

Say hello to whoever is nearest. That is how the rest of us started. There is no formal introduction or agenda to keep up with.

Can under-18s attend?

Yes, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the whole session.

What do I need before using tools?

Tool access depends on the equipment. You may need an induction, supervised practice and a competence check first. Some equipment may also have age or insurance restrictions.

Get in touch

Contact the right team.

For the quickest reply, choose the inbox that best matches your question. If you are unsure, send it to Hello and we will point it in the right direction.

Hello

Make it
real