NEGOTIATIONS are taking place for a new occupant to take over the former courthouse building in Kendal.

The facility on Burneside Road stopped administering justice in June 2017 following government cuts.

Since then, the building has been maintained by Cumbria County Council, while court hearings have been transferred to nearby facilities in Barrow and Lancaster with occasional hearings taking place at Kendal Town Hall.

Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for economic and development and property, provided an update on the occupancy of the courthouse at a meeting in Kendal.

"I can say that we are in negotiations with a potential tenant for the buildings," he said. "Until that is secured, I cannot say who it is or when it will commence."