A BUDGET hotel chain could breathe new life into a South Lakeland town’s underused shopping centre.

Plans are soon to be submitted to South Lakeland District Council to transform the ground floor of Kendal’s K Village into a 69-bed Travelodge hotel.

The scheme would also introduce around 70 new flats over the first, second and third floors of the edge-of-town complex.

Lou Kendal, owner of K Village since 2015, has been looking at ways to improve the largely vacant ground floor of the centre and ensure it ‘fulfils its potential as part of Kendal’s tourist economy’.

“Our plans for K Village will breathe new life into an underused building and deliver real benefit to Kendal,” a spokesman said.

“The combination of Travelodge and new homes will bring the spending power of more visitors and residents to Kendal, which will mean more customers in local cafes and shops and more money in local pockets.”

Clarks Outlet Store and Denby Outlet still reside within K Village and would likely be impacted if the application was a success.

A spokesperson for Clarks said it was aware of the proposed plans and the shoe retailer was in discussions with developers about them.

And Gary Capell, Denby’s retail director, said: “Denby has previously traded successfully in Kendal town centre, within the original Clarks Shoe Shop, whilst the original K Village was being redeveloped.

“Denby is keen to retain a presence in the town and is currently in discussions regarding potential space opportunities within the Westmorland Centre, given the proposed re-development plans for K Village.”

The proposals may include the provision of new community space, which could provide an opportunity to relocate the K Shoes Heritage Centre currently located in the building.

The plans also include improvements to the internal courtyard of K Village for the benefit of new and existing residents, as well as a new car parking system.

A public consultation event is being held on June 12, from 3pm to 8pm, at the vacant Paver Shoe unit in K Village, giving local people an opportunity to meet the development team and find out more about the proposals.

Members of the public may also contact the development team by calling 0161 7110293, or by email on kvillagefuture@lexcomm.co.uk.

It is anticipated that an application will be submitted this summer following a period of public consultation.