The Carnival of Culture, which involved a colourful and lively street procession, musical performances, street theatre and more, has close links with It's Our City, which has been spearheading the campaign against the Centros Miller plans for the past two years.

But a spokesperson for Centros Miller said: "We are at a complete and utter loss trying to understand why the people behind this so-called Carnival of Culture have chosen to protest about our proposed development in Lancaster –when our scheme will inject around two million pounds into the cultural facilities of the city.

"The Centros development will deliver one million pounds' worth of new facilities for the Dukes Theatre, a half a million pound extension to the Grand Theatre and totally new premises for the city's unique musicians' co-operative.

"On top of that there will be several new open public spaces that will form ideal places for theatrical and music performers to entertain the public, and the whole scheme will draw many more people into the city to enjoy all of these facilities.

"In fact, I can't think of another city centre regeneration scheme anywhere in the country that will have such a positive impact on the cultural life of the city it serves!"

Kirsty Reed, on behalf of the Carnival of Culture organisers, said: "From Centros Miller to the Northern Link road, from Bailrigg Science Park to new supermarkets, Lancaster is seeing lots of proposed developments which threaten to destroy the fabric and liveliness of our community.

"The Carnival of Culture is both a celebration of Lancaster's amazing melting pot of culture as well as an outspoken protest against what we don't want.

"It's about giving Centros, the council and any other developers a taste of the strength of our community and of our opposition."

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