PLANS for a new bar in Kendal town centre have been greeted by two nearby businesses but opposed by several other neighbours.

Applicant Kaushik Mistry, of Heaton Moor, Stockport, is seeking consent to transform an empty womenswear shop at Wainwright's Yard into a 'drinking establishment' also serving food.

Worries about noise, smells, litter, smoking outside and a change in the yard's ambience have been expressed to South Lakeland District Council, with homewares store Armstrong Ward and some residents and owners of apartments at Printers Croft among the objectors.

However, neighbouring store La Maison has given its backing, writing to the council: "A tasteful and upmarket wine bar is just the sort of business that is needed in Kendal - it would be a great asset to both the yard and the town as a whole."

An email from the Gear store was also supportive, stating: "I look forward to occasionally unwinding after work with a nice glass of Chardonnay."

Proposals submitted to SLDC indicate seating for 42 people on the ground floor, together with a bar servery and kitchen, plus seating for 28 upstairs.

The Gazette contacted planning agents Core Design, also of Stockport, but they declined to give more detail on the plans, saying it was still 'too early'.

Among the objectors are Wilfred and Christine Ellis, of Bowness, who own flats at Printers Croft overlooking the proposed bar. According to planning documents, they fear increased noise and smells, loss of privacy for residents and a drop in property values.

Apartment owner J. Berresford, of Kendal, stated her concerns about the effect on the ambience of a 'select, relatively quiet area' and the prospect of food smells drifting through people's windows.

Mark Wilson, of Printers Croft, said he feared a serious impact on living standards, adding that Kendal already has 'a surfeit' of pubs, clubs and wine bars going out of business.

According to a noise report commissioned by the applicant, there would be no outside seating or smokers' area. Music would be at background level only and there would be no kitchen extraction system. Opening hours would be 8am-11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, and 8am-midnight Friday and Saturday.

The plans are to be decided by SLDC.

An empty fashion shop at Wainwright's Yard would be transformed into a 'drinking establishment' under plans lodged with South Lakeland District Council.

Seeking consent for the bar is Kaushik Mistry, of Heaton Moor, STockport,