[T]he opening of a prestigious new business headquarters in Kendal has been welcomed.
Councillor Graham Vincent, South Lakeland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said the launch of Herdy’s new premises on Stramongate was further evidence that South Lakeland remains a great place to do business.
Starting life in 2007 selling mugs, pin badges and keyrings, the company has taken its iconic Herdwick sheep-inspired designs to a global stage, and now sells its extensive range of gifts, homeware and accessories in markets including Australia, Japan and America.
It has shops in Grasmere, Hawes, Keswick and Bowness but has always had its base in Kendal.
Now it has expanded in the town with a larger office base and new shop, which was officially opened last night (Tuesday).
The launch event also saw former Saatchi and Saatchi executive Kevin Roberts unveiled as new Chair of the company.
Councillor Vincent said: “I was delighted to attend last night’s opening to wish Herdy well. This is great news for Kendal that such a well-known brand is able to develop and expand here.
“We have supported Herdy throughout its journey and we are delighted by its success.
“The town centre is certainly vibrant at the moment, with the area around upper Stramongate in particular seeing significant investment at places like the new-look Masons and The Gate of Kendal.
“This pattern is also replicated across much of South Lakeland, with Ulverston town centre also doing very well at the moment – I was particularly interested to see the ambitious plans to turn the former HSBC bank into a new restaurant and wine bar.”
Herdy co-founder, Spencer Hannah, said: “South Lakeland is a great place to start something new. We have a good relationship with the local economic development team and have done for a long time, there’s nothing to stop that getting better in future.
“Kendal was the natural choice for our next shop, it has always been our creative home whilst being logistically well positioned. It’s an area ideal for business development.”
Councillor Vincent continued: “South Lakeland continues to buck county, regional and national trends for the number of start-up businesses that survive for more than five years and we are also well below regional and national averages for the numbers of empty shops on our towns’ high streets.
“This is a great place to do business. Here at the council we are doing our bit to support new businesses through initiatives like our business advice programme, the pop-up shop scheme and the Mintworks enterprise centre in Kendal.
“Other examples of investment and growth are the new John Deere tractor dealership nearing completion at Crooklands, which will create up to 30 new jobs, and AUK Investment, which is relocating its headquarters from Fleetwood to new offices being built at Prizet.
“We are committed to delivering opportunities for sustainable economic growth across South Lakeland and are delighted to see that organisations like Herdy, John Deere and AUK are keen to be part of the district’s economic success story.”
