AN EMPTY shop at Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, could get a new lease of life as an 'upmarket' deli.

Anthony Shaw, of Cark-in-Cartmel, is seeking planning consent to transform the former Gear homewares store into a cafe with deli counter, serving cold meats, cheeses, soups, salads and takeaway snacks.

According to plans lodged with South Lakeland District Council, the new venture could create four full-time and six part-time jobs, and would be open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5.30pm.

"This will be a quality establishment," state the plans, "and in keeping with the upmarket feel of the other Wainwright's Yard businesses."

A small food-prep kitchen would house an electric hob and oven, but there would be no deep-fat frying, and the menu would focus on vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free foods.