An organisation which aims to support businesses in Kendal and boost the local economy has unveiled its events programme for 2025.
Kendal Business Improvement District is set to organise a host of live music performances, family activities and Christmas celebrations in the town this year.
Kendal BID manager Peter Brendling, said: “All the events are aimed at improving Kendal, increasing footfall and boosting the trade of local businesses.
“The town has recently had the exciting news that the Government is investing £13.47 million of funding for projects including improving Market Place and Kent Street, the indoor market hall and the riverside path between Lowther Street and Abbot Hall and that ties in very well with the BID’s ongoing wish to support and promote the town through various initiatives such as our events programme.”
The first event will be the Kendal Jazz, Blues and Folk Festival on Saturday, June 21, which will feature outdoor performances by local groups, mainly in Market Place and at the ‘Birdcage’ at the top of Finkle Street.
Kendal Family Festival will take place on Saturday, July 27, at various locations around town and is set to include activities such as climbing towers, Segway rides, archery, crazy golf and giant Snakes and Ladders.
Kendal Live Music Festival will be over the weekend of October 10 and 11 and will feature local bands performing at numerous indoor and outdoor venues around town.
Kendal Christmas Celebration will be on Sunday, December 7 and will include a Christmas market in Market Place, festive music and Santa in his grotto.
Peter added: “Our Kendal Live Music Festival brings around 3,500 people to town each year to enjoy some of the best locally-based musicians,” said Mr Brendling.
“Venues which host bands tend to see sales increases of at least 100 per cent compared to a normal day.
“Our Kendal Family Festival brings around 1,500 family members to town to enjoy the free activities and our Christmas Celebration last year gave Kendal one of its busiest Sundays ever.
“In 2025/26 Kendal BID will be carrying on with the popular town trail, which has brought an average of 1,500 people into town each year with them visiting up to 100 businesses as they follow the trial, hunting for the colourful cartoon figures in shop windows.
“We shall also be lobbying for and exploring ways to improve parking in Kendal and working on a guide to help new businesses. Improving public safety and security for people while they are in town is also on our agenda.”
Kendal BID is a not-for-profit company. Its purpose is to develop projects and services that will benefit Kendal town centre.
It supports more than 650 local businesses in central Kendal and over the past three years it has invested around £450,000 in the town.
It promotes Kendal businesses with sponsorship of the Business section of the Visit Kendal website, which receives more than 10,000 views per month.
Peter added: “We offer grants of £500 to improve the appearances of businesses’ frontages – so far 49 businesses have received improvement grants. We also offer environmental grants of up to £1,000 and grants for staff training.
“We work closely with other organisations, such as Kendal Futures, Kendal Bar Watch, the town council and Westmorland and Furness Council on projects to improve the town, including the yards improvement project.”
Kendal BID also supports several other festivals in town, including Kendal Torchlight Carnival, which had more than 12,000 people attend last year; Kendal Pride with 2,000 people attending and several others including The Unity Festival and Stout Wars.
Peter said: “The BID is also involved in many smaller projects and initiatives. We have funded security cameras for part of the town and have helped fund safety and security patrols during the Christmas period.
“We are involved in groups that look at how affordable housing can be increased for employees in Kendal’s businesses.”
He added: “Kendal BID is here for all of the businesses within the BID area. We would welcome constructive suggestions on other ways we can help our businesses. People can email [email protected]”
