A ONCE-bustling Kendal pub is set to open its doors again after being closed for three years.

The New Union on Stricklandgate, formerly the Union Tavern, will open with a special launch night tongiht (Friday).

The pub, which up until autumn last year was being used as the headquarters of the local Conservative Party, has been taken over by local couple David Windsor and Rachel Partington.

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The pair ran The Jolly Anglers Inn at Burneside for almost three years, and also run Stramongate Newsagents.

The Union Tavern closed its doors in 2013 and was bought by a businessman after being put on the market by Enterprise Inns.

David explained: “We’ve been out of the Jolly Anglers for four months and when this came up we thought it would be a good opportunity.”

On his vision for the pub, he said: “We want to make sure we are looking after what we’ve got in the town and restore it to being a proper local pub.

“We know things aren’t easy for pubs in Kendal at the moment but we think it will be a real asset for this side of town. If you do things right then people will follow.”

To tempt people in after work, the New Union will have special offers on between 4pm and 6pm on Friday, dubbed the ‘workers’ teatime special’.

The tavern will have live music and entertainment on every Saturday night, and kicking things off at the opening on Friday will be local singer and musician Just Brian.

The bar will have four cask ales supplied by Bowness Bay Brewing, and award-winning beer Loweswater Gold.

David and Rachel’s plans for the pub also include serving hot food and showing sport. They want to make the place family-friendly and dog friendly.

Indoor games enthusiast, David is also keen to attract several darts and pool teams.