Boilers have been replaced at Kendal Market Hall to help Westmorland & Furness Council reach net zero.
The boilers have been replaced by an air source heat pump were completed recently, as part of a £1.75 million wider project to upgrade and decarbonise key council buildings.
Additional work completed to date at Kendal Market Hall includes perimeter wall repairs, roof replacement, solar panels, an internal strip out and electric work.
The next stage is part of the transformational Heart of Kendal project, funded by the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, which has a spending deadline of March 31 2028.
Further engagement is planned through the summer months once visuals and plans are available for the new indoor market hall, the council added.
Westmorland & Furness Council added that Kendal town centre was set for more enhancements next year as engineering consultants WSP has been appointed to take forward the renewal of Market Place and Kent Street.
Construction is expected to start in spring 2027 and be finished by spring 2028.
Councillor John Murray, cabinet member for climate change, biodiversity and regulatory services, said: “Completing the decarbonisation works at Kendal Market Hall is another important step in turning our climate ambitions into practical action.
“By replacing outdated gas systems with low‑carbon technologies, we’re cutting emissions, future‑proofing our buildings and demonstrating real leadership on climate change across Westmorland and Furness.”
The council said it was currently looking at the next phase of design as well as the building contract for the delivery of the indoor market hall, which will include a specialist fit out for completion and reopening.
Replacement of the boilers has been paid for by the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to fund work at several buildings, supporting plans to get Westmorland and Furness to a carbon net zero position by 2037.
Work is also underway at Appleby Leisure Centre and work at Kendal Leisure Centre and South Lakeland House is planned for later this year.
The council has match-funded the gas boiler replacement costs from its prioritised capital maintenance budget taking the total project value to over £2 million.
The estimated annual total carbon emissions saved from carrying out the above projects is 343.2 tCO2e.
