THE owner of Kendal's only nightclub says he needs continued support from townsfolk and the council to help his venue thrive.

Andy Milliard reopened Passions and Idols sports bar last August and has just signed another six-month deal with the building's owner to keep the nightspot open until at least September.

Although David Atkinson, who owns the former warehouse on Kent Street, is seeking planning permission to convert it into 22 flats but he said it was only his ‘Plan B’ in case the nightclub failed.

Mr Milliard praised Mr Atkinson's generosity in halving his rent payments on the building.

"At the present time I am making it work," Mr Milliard told the Gazette. "The club is doing really well.

"We've been working on statistics and we can confidently say we've generated over half-a-million pounds for other businesses since we've been open. This is why we are so passionate about keeping it going."

Mr Milliard said that Passions was "vital for the town economy" and that seven Kendal pubs had shut during the 11 months when the club was closed.

The businessman and DJ is now calling on South Lakeland District Council to show its support by halving his business rates. "I'm paying full rates on a building I'm only using half of. I think that's really unfair. I'm going to write to the council for them to work with me because of the numbers we're generating."

Mr Milliard says he has created 30 to 35 jobs at the Kent Street venue and his town centre bar Smokies. He plans to share with local MP Tim Farron his estimate of the £500,000 boost given to Kendal's pubs, taxi firms and takeaways by Passions since last August.

The recent Easter bank holiday weekend was "very busy" at the club, said Mr Milliard, with a "brilliant atmosphere" and around 1,500 revellers through the doors of the redecorated nightspot. The lighting and sound systems have been completely overhauled and the burger hatch has also reopened, to encourage people to eat before drinking alcohol.

"If everybody had the same passion as me, the town would be very strong as a community," said Mr Milliard.

"I took a big risk here but I'm really passionate about the town.

"I've had this place eight months and I've not taken one penny out of it myself and I refuse to until it's successful."

- Smokies, at Yard 2, Stricklandgate, is selling daytime teas and coffees for £1 to raise money for Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital, and a fundraising "nurses' night out" is being planned for Passions. Mr Milliard has also given £586 door takings to a local family who lost their home in a fire.