CLOSURE-threatened Lakeland Leather stores in Kendal and Bowness have been saved - but a question mark remains over its Ambleside branch.

The company, which opened its first store in Ambleside in the 1960s, went into administration in June last year putting 22 stores and more than 200 jobs at risk.

Administrators McTear Williams & Wood immediately closed four stores including the one in K-Village in Kendal.

Ambleside-based Felldale Retail Ltd and its director Martin Foster bought the stocks, assets and trading name from the administrators and after negotiations with landlords the stores on Stricklandgate in Kendal and on Lake Road, Bowness, have been saved.

"It has taken since last summer to restructure Lakeland Leather but we've now reached the point where the business is secure and we've saved the majority of the stores operated by the company," said Mr Foster. "We recently completed a deal with our landlord to save our Kendal store from closure.

"We're delighted by this as we have a fantastically loyal customer base in Kendal."

The Market Cross store in Ambleside will close on April 19 but Mr Foster stressed he is keen to find a space for the store in the town.

"The current landlord would not do a deal with us on the existing store so we are working really hard to try and secure a future for us in the town," he said.

"It would be devastating if we were thrown out of our home town. We are determined to keep a presence in Ambleside even if it means we have to take a smaller unit."

Mr Foster also praised the store's customers for their support over the last few months. "The business is now safe and we are looking forward to the future," he added.

To celebrate saving the Kendal store, a raffle was held at the weekend as well as a 20 per cent off sale. Pauline Whittaker, of Kendal, was the lucky winner of a £100 gift card.

The store's acting manager Elaine Chapman said seven jobs had been saved as a result of the deal.