A legendary bar and music venue is to reopen in Kendal this weekend after a £700,000 revamp.
Bootleggers, which will host a range of local and UK and international touring bands, has been expanded and will now also include a 150-seat café and restaurant serving tapas small plate food.
Westmorland Group is operating the Market Place venue, which it is leasing from Charles Scott and Patrick Brennand.
Chris Moss, one of the group’s directors, said: “We are really excited to be bringing Bootleggers back to Kendal for the benefit of the community – it is just what Kendal needs.”
There will be a pre-opening VIP night at Bootleggers on Friday, October 25, from 5pm-2am, featuring local five-piece party band District 5.
The official reopening is on Saturday, October 26, from 5pm to 2am. Performing will be renowned international Abba tribute band Voulez Vous.
Food will be served on both nights until 8pm.
“Tickets are selling like hot cakes,” said Chris. “The early bird tickets have already sold out for both nights but standard tickets are available.”
The building everyone remembers as Bootleggers is still there but Westmorland Group has acquired 13 Market Place, next to the Skipton Building Society, which backs on to the old Bootleggers.
A wall has been knocked down so it is now all one building, meaning there is a street-facing entrance to Bootleggers in Market Place in the centre of town.
The original Bootleggers featured a snug area, bar and stage and a first-floor balcony with views of the stage.
All those remain but they have been refurbished as part of a £700,000 renovation project, using local tradespeople, by Westmorland Group.
