THE owner of Kendal’s only nightclub has confirmed that the building is likely to be converted into flats following its sudden closure.

Passions and Idols Sports Bar has shut its doors for the second time in less than two years – and this time it looks set to be permanent.

David Atkinson, who owns the former warehouse on Kent Street, said he was seeking planning permission to convert it into 22 flats, although it will be up for leasehold as a bar and nightclub in the meantime.

Owner Andy Milliard has blamed high business rates for the decision to close the troubled Kent Street nightspot, which he reopened last August following its closure by former owners Vimac Leisure in November 2013.

The move has sparked fears about Kendal’s night-time economy, with Mr Milliard calling it ‘the end of an era’.

“It’s frustrating because it wasn’t getting the numbers for the first six months, but recently we’d turned it around and were filling two floors.

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“But the council weren’t budging on the rates and we were still having to pay off the first six months, so things came to a head.”

Earlier in the year Mr Milliard had called on South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) to halve his business rates as he was only using half the four-floor building.

He said: “Rates are the biggest killer of any businesses in the town – something needs to change for businesses to thrive here.”

But SLDC has said that it just collects business rates and does not levy them.

Leader of the council Peter Thornton said: “We have made the case to government that businesses like these need help and we will keep making that case.”

Following news of the closure, social media sites were full of comments, with one Facebook user commenting: “Sad shame as Kendal needs a club, and I feel for those who have lost their jobs.”

Another said: “It's such a shame it's going and people may not realise it now but it's going to be missed.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron called the news ‘a massive blow to the night time economy of the town’, saying Kendal’s bars and pubs help create an estimated £1 million a year.

Mr Milliard said of the 15 staff at Idols he had managed to move ‘a couple’ to his other businesses - Smokies and The Catch Restaurant - and may be able to keep on more if another planned venture comes to fruition.