NINE new full-time jobs are to be created after the owners of a Kendal inn have taken on a second pub in the town.

Joshua Macauley and Chris Moss, who run Ye Olde Fleece Inn at Highgate, have now added The Duke of Cumberland at Appleby Road to their growing portfolio.

The pub, which has been shut during lockdown, is due to reopen on Wednesday.

“There is a real need in that area of town for a good, local community pub,” said joint director Mr Macauley.

“At the moment the Castle Inn is shut, The Bridge has closed down and the Victoria Tavern has been turned into apartments.

“Our aim is to make The Duke of Cumberland a real part of the community.”

The new-look Duke includes a main bar area, a snug, a beer garden and a large function room. A selection of beers, ales and gin will be served.

The owners said that prior to opening there would be some minor initial works - including internal redecoration, new lighting and fixtures and improvements to the beer garden.

After the pub has been open a few weeks a second investment is planned to take place.

This will cover new customer toilets, refurbishment of the kitchen, plus external repainting and the addition of new signage and lettering outside.

“The thing that attracted us to The Duke of Cumberland was it has so much potential,” said Mr Macauley. “There is a real family feel about the place.

“There is a fantastic beer garden – possibly the biggest in the town centre – so people will be able to sit outside in the summer if the weather is nice.

“There are also log fires so it will be a perfect, cosy winter pub too. It also has a large car park.”

After acquiring Ye Olde Fleece Inn Mr Macauley and Mr Moss carried out a nearly-one-million-pounds’ renovation project. It re-opened for business in March 2019.

There has been a hostelry at the site since the eighteenth century.

“We are really excited to take on a second venue after the success of Ye Olde Fleece Inn,” said Mr Macauley. “We do want to take on more sites in the South Lakes area if the demand is there.”

He said they were keen to recruit locally for the jobs at The Duke of Cumberland, adding: “We believe in local jobs for local people.”