Up to £13.47 million-worth of Government cash will be spent to transform Kendal town centre after 12 months of uncertainty.
The Heart of Kendal programme includes town centre regeneration schemes and improvements to connectivity along the River Kent.
This will build on existing investment already going into the town through the Stramongate Public Realm Improvement Scheme, the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme and improvements to walking and cycling routes along the Riverside corridor.
The Heart of Kendal projects are:
Kendal’s town centre regeneration
- Repurposing the Westmorland Shopping Centre to provide new education accommodation, creating a third campus for Kendal College.
- Regeneration and reimagining Kendal’s historic Indoor Market Hall.
- Renewal of Market Place and Kent Street to enhance public realm in the heart of the town.
Kendal’s riverside corridor
- Transforming the riverside path between Lowther Street and Abbot Hall into an active travel route connecting the River Kent to the town centre.
Kendal Town Team – a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, Kendal Futures and Kendal Town Council – worked together to submit the bid.
The previous government provisionally awarded the council £13.47 million for the Heart of Kendal scheme in November 2023.
The new government has now confirmed the award.
Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We are delighted that the Heart of Kendal schemes have been confirmed and that we can now push on ahead and make them happen.
“The delay has been frustrating, but we have never lost sight of the vision behind the bid by the Kendal Town Team partners.
“It is great that we can now turn these ambitions for Kendal into a reality.
“These projects will make a real difference to the people of Kendal and all who come to the town.
“They will embrace the unique setting of our town and use our built heritage and culture to enhance the town centre, to make it more attractive and accessible for living, working, culture and leisure.
“The reactivation of this funding means we can now pursue our original vision for the market. This will mean the market hall is closed for longer but means we will be able to create a fantastic facility that the town deserves and can be proud of and which will contribute greatly to developing Kendal town centre further as a vibrant and enjoyable place to shop and spend time.”
Initial work on Market Hall, made possible by £840,126 from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, started in December and include perimeter wall repairs, roof replacement, an internal strip out, electric works and redecoration.
The Market Hall had been due to close for around four months for this work.
Westmorland & Furness Council said: “Confirmation of the Heart of Kendal funding means the improvements can be developed and enhanced further, which will mean a longer closure but incorporate more and wider-ranging improvements aimed at revitalising the historic Market Hall to provide a regenerated community and commercial space for Kendal fit for the 21st century.”
Solar panels will also be installed on the roof as part of the council’s wider decarbonisation programme, with further measures such as energy-efficient LED lighting and an air source heat pump to follow.
