A REGENERATION of Kendal's high street is on the cards which could lead to improved footfall and a reduction in the number of vacant shops.

It comes after Kendal Business Improvement District successfully achieved its place as one of the 100 towns across the UK to receive support from some of the UK’s biggest brands

Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10 per cent, reduce the number of vacant properties by 20 per cent and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over three years.

The programme was first launched in June 2014 and is backed by some of the UK’s biggest high street brands, such as Boots UK, EE, Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and Santander.

Robin Foale, managing director of Santander Universities UK, and chair of the Healthy High Streets programme congratulated Kendal on being chosen to be part of the programme.

"This is a great opportunity to work with the business partners and the local High Street Champions to transform your town and create a thriving, vibrant centre for the local community," he said.

Kendal is one of 33 new high streets selected for the programme across the UK. It will receive a bespoke package of support, including access to dedicated High Street Champions from supporting businesses who will work together with Kendal BID and relevant local partners to devise an action plan to address the specific challenges facing the town.

The impact results for the three year programme will be announced in July 2017. Over the last year of the programme it has brought support and resources worth £17 million from its corporate partners into 67 UK high streets.

Business in the Community’s Peter Donohoe said: “One of the most powerful ways for business to make an impact in communities is by creating high streets that are vibrant places to live, work and do business.

"It has been heartening to see first-hand the practical difference that collaborative, business-led action can make on UK high streets over these past two years."