A £13.4 million scheme to revamp the heart of Kendal remains in limbo.
The project was awarded the cash from the previous Government’s Levelling Up Fund in November 2023 – but council leaders still do not know if the new Government will release the cash.
The Heart of Kendal scheme would revamp the town’s market hall, enhance Market Place and Kent Street, support the creation of the new campus for Kendal College in the Westmorland Shopping Centre and transform the riverside path between Lowther Street and Abbot Hall.
Despite the uncertainty over the full scheme, work has begun on initial work, made possible by £840,126 from the Shared Prosperity Fund, including perimeter wall repairs, roof replacement, an internal strip out, electric work and redecoration. Solar panels will also be installed on the roof, energy-efficient LED lighting installed and an air source heat pump to follow.
The market hall is closed and the work is due to be finished in March.
Westmorland and Furness Councillor Virginia Taylor said: “We’ve had some positive conversations with Government on this funding, including just how much the delays are impacting our beloved town centre, and while they are committed to honour as many of the Levelling Up Fund Round 3 projects that they are able to, we still have a way to go until we receive any terms and conditions or actual funding.
“So for now we’ll push on with the enabling work at the indoor market and continue to reassess the project should terms and funding be received.”
The new Government acknowledged the funding was being made available in the Autumn Budget earlier this month and discussions are under way to confirm the agreement in order to secure the funding, subject to further Government monitoring, the council said.
Coun Taylor said the decision to close the market temporarily for the initial work was not taken lightly, but because the work would reinvigorate it.
She added: “Kendal has had a market charter since 1189 and Westmorland and Furness Council takes the responsibility of being the market’s custodians very seriously.
“We thank the traders for their hard work over the years, but also for the understanding and co-operation throughout this challenging process.
“We have taken steps to support traders in the short term and look forward to seeing familiar faces back again when the market hall reopens.”
John Davison, who sells pet supplies, said: “I’ve taken the leap and leased new premises on the New Shambles, which is a fantastic location to secure the future of my small business.
“I took the business on from my beloved daughter Jarre a few years ago, and have loved every minute in the indoor market. We are like a family of traders, and we know the community we have built will continue to support us, with a few of us traders ending up next door to each other in the colourful New Shambles! I look forward to seeing what the council will do next with the markets, especially at a time when investment in desperately needed.”
Market users and traders have been talking to the council on what they would like to see from the indoor market.
Discussions took place with traders to explore their options while the Market Hall is closed, and support packages made available to traders to support them through the project and temporary closure.
Expressions of interest are invited for traders and other businesses who may be interested in operating in the market when it reopens. More information can be found on the council website at southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/markets/
If the council gets the go-ahead for the wider scheme, the market hall will be closed for longer.
