Kendal business owners and town leaders see positive future

Despite a gradual decline in the concept of town centre shopping throughout towns in the UK for a number of years now, the tradition has remained strong in Kendal, with new independents and national chains still seeing Kendal as a more than viable trading destination.

One such example is Robert Unwin, who opened his artisan butcher shop Roast Mutton on Woolpack Yard in July 2021, and said:

"The reason that I opened in Kendal is that there is a very good community spirit, and it is the flagship town of the area I think.

"There a lot of new, interesting businesses opening up so it gives you the confidence as a business owner to take the plunge yourself.

BUTCHER: New artisan butcher shop Roast Mutton

"A lot of people still shop in the town centre aswell, which can be unusual these days, so that gives you confidence that there will always be decent footfall.

"You only have come into Kendal on a Monday morning and both car parks, Booths and Marks and Spencers are heaving."

Kendal is almost a unique little bubble in the fact that while we have a few chain stores, there are still small independent high street shops like florists and craft shops - lots of different types of businesses.

"I'm originally from Ambleside, but it's very touristy and seasonal.

As a butcher, you need trade all year round - you need people buying all the different cuts that they'll cook at home rather than just wanting a steak and a burger, or a pie - It shows that the Kendal community does support local businesses."

Saltrock, a surf-wear clothing chain opened its first store in Cumbria in January this year on Stricklandgate, Kendal.

Marie Clarke, head of brand and marketing at Saltrock said: "With proximity so close to the scenic views over the Lakes, Stricklandgate is an inspiring location for our new store and is an ideal opportunity to exhibit our brand story and product line to both local and international consumers."

Kendal Business Improvement District (BID) also continues to support local businesses through a range of various projects, including the new dscvr Kendal app, of which Simon Thomas of Kendal BID said: "It includes specialist local knowledge which enables visitors to find out more than by just looking at a website or tourist guide because they can see where the locals go to shop, eat and drink and they can discover the town’s hidden gems."

The BID have also just introduced two new business grants to help businesses train staff in new skills, and to improve shop-frontages.

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure at South Lakeland District Council, said South Lakeland had been found to have the best enterprise conditions in the country in the UK Prosperity Index 2021, which boded well for the district's successful recovery from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic - and underlined the importance of promoting "placemaking" in the development and future vitality of our communities.

Cllr Ashcroft said: "After such desperate times, it is great to see positive signs as businesses and the South Lakeland economy as a whole battles back.

"Supporting this fightback is a massive challenge which no one organisation can solve on its own. But South Lakeland District Council is committed to leading from the front and taking a key role.

"Placemaking, for example, is increasingly becoming a major theme for employers wishing to attract a skilled work force and we are increasingly taking that, as well as climate action and climate reduction, into account when planning activity which will help make good our commitment to making South Lakeland the best place to live, work and explore."