A MULTI-million pound redevelopment of Kendal Town Hall should commence next month and be completed this time next year.

Caddick Construction has secured the contract to reconfigure and refurbish Kendal Town Hall and South Lakeland House on behalf of South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

The £4.5million project hopes to create new, modern town centre offices to support the Council’s Customer Connect Programme as well as workspace for other businesses, including MintWorks2.

As well as upgrading working facilities, the refurbishment will increase the range of events which can be accommodated at the Town Hall, provide disability access, open up more meeting room space for community groups and provide a joint reception area.

The works will also include improvements to insulation and windows. A green roof, solar panels and motion sensor LED lighting will also be installed.

South Lakeland District Council’s Cabinet approved the work following a buildings review as part of the council’s ‘Customer Connect’ innovation project and planning permission and listed building consent have been obtained.

The review concluded that the option that gave best value-for-money for the taxpayer would be to re-model South Lakeland House so around half the office space would be available to let to other organisations, with the main reception areas for the public moving to Kendal Town Hall.

SLDC believes the cost of the scheme would be fully repaid through savings from a more efficient building, reducing business rates and maintenance costs and additional income from letting out surplus office space, resulting in savings of £450,000 over ten years.

SLDC Leader Councillor Giles Archibald said: “This scheme will deliver significant social benefits as well as supporting business growth and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the council’s services.

“Doing this now will future-proof this council and the services it provides in the most cost-effective way for our residents. This is about making the best use of these buildings, safeguarding the future of the town hall and vastly improving accessibility for the public and putting the council at the heart of the high street."

“The investment will enable more activities for community groups to take place in the town hall and move main reception areas for the public to the front of the town hall to make visiting the council much more accessible and user-friendly, especially improving disabled access.’’