A SPECIAL two-day event is to be held in Kendal to highlight the best that the town has to offer.

The aim is to remind local people of the quality businesses and services on their doorstep and introduce them to new enterprises.

It is also hoped visitors and tourists will flock to the event to discover more about the area and its firms.

Around 50 businesses will showcase their goods and services at the Spirit of Kendal event to be staged at Kendal Town Hall on April 13-14.

All visitors will leave with a booklet containing vouchers which they can cash in on local goods – providing a further economic boost to a town already considered to be booming.

"People generally go to the same places because they don't know what's on offer in other places," said Sarah Williams, manager of Kendal BID (Business Improvement District), which is behind the venture. "If you look at what's growing now, there's lots of up and coming new places.

"People in Kendal don't know what's on offer in Kendal and this is what we need to push."

Businesses will set up stalls in Kendal Town Hall and visitors will pay a small entry fee and then get the opportunity to talk to traders and sample food and drink. They will also receive a book containing vouchers, worth between £50 to £100, and a trail detailing where the participating businesses are located.

"It's giving an incentive to then try out the business and then they go and spend and increase dwell time in the town," said Sarah. "The concept is not to keep people in the town hall and not to get people to buy form stalls and then disappear but to introduce them to the businesses."

Among those businesses already signed up is Pedro's restaurant, Cafe Olive, The Factory Tap and Slate Bar

"I just think it's a great idea really," said Jo Nelson, manager of Slate Bar. "It's getting us all involved and all different parts of town.

"I think it's just going to get people in and show them what they're all about because there's still people in town that don't really know we're here."

And Cllr Graham Vincent, economy and assets portfolio holder for South Lakeland District Council, said: "I think this is an innovative approach. It will give people the feel for the businesses and I'm particularly keen that it's a local event. I really welcome it. It's a good thing to try and relatively low risk.

"I think the BID are doing a great job in trying to encourage people into town."

Stalls are free for businesses in the Kendal BID area and those interested in a stall can contact Sarah on sarah@kendalbid.co.uk