The team behind a major plan to breathe new life into a Kendal town centre landmark are supporting the Cumbria Food Awards.
Spinning Jennies is the ambitious project to redevelop the former Beales store on Finkle Street into a multi-use food and retail hub with an emphasis on Cumbrian produce and makers.
Geri Ward, who with her partner, William Smith, is behind the Spinning Jennies project, said that they were delighted to sponsor the Chef of the Year category at the Cumbria Food Awards.
“The awards celebrate Cumbria, which is what we’re trying to deliver, plus it will put us into a network where we will hopefully find retailers, chefs and creatives for Spinning Jennies,” she said.
She said the category was one which she was particularly pleased to support. She added: “I think that chefs are the most wonderful, creative, hard-working people and I admire so many of them.”
Since buying the former department store last year, Geri and William have outlined substantial plans for the prominent site, including food and drink, retail, space for creative businesses and homes aimed at local people. They aim to provide jobs and boost the local economy.
Geri said she used her knowledge of Cumbria and what the county does well before deciding to divide the large property into spaces with different uses.
The lower ground floor is to be developed as a market-style street food hall, with a range of producers and chefs offering different styles and types of food and with an emphasis on independent regional businesses. Visitors will be able to choose from artisan coffee, craft beer and the best locally sourced street food.
The ground floor will be home to a boutique shopping hall, a tea room specialising in afternoon tea and a Champagne bar.
The first floor is to be transformed into a home for creative entrepreneurs and the redevelopment will include up to 20 one and two-bedroom homes for rent, aimed at local people.
Geri, whose background is in leadership and hospitality, had early experience in the industry when she transformed what was then a B&B called Low Wood Hall in Nether Wasdale into a two-rosette hotel.
Geri said Kendalians have been welcoming and have stopped the couple on the street to pass on their appreciation that the site is undergoing development.
“So many people who used to work at Beales have come back to visit and have been very helpful.”
She said the reception to Spinning Jennies – which is named as a nod to Kendal’s heritage in wool production – was typical of the county.
“People actually want something to happen here. There’s a spirit in Kendal and Cumbria among people who live and work here that wants something to happen and wants it to be good. There’s a spirit of positivity which is incredible.”
