Kendal Town Council has backed ambitious plans to regenerate parts of the centre of Kendal through the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The scheme is the result of 12 months of collaboration between the town council, Cumbria County Council, Kendal Futures and South Lakeland District Council.

South Lakeland District Council will submit the bid on the town’s behalf to the Secretary of State.

Read more: £10m in government funding to be sought for town

The bid for funding centres around two key projects:

Project A - town centre regeneration

  • Creating a third campus for Kendal College at the Westmorland Shopping Centre
  • Regeneration of Kendal's market hall
  • Regeneration of Market Place

Project B - riverside corridor

  • Enhancement of the riverside 'active travel route' from Abbot Hall, along Waterside and up Kent Street
  • These projects were identified during the Kendal Vision process.

Mayor of Kendal Councillor Doug Rathbone said: “This is a bold move to kick start the vital regeneration of the heart of our town.

“Flowing down to the river from a revitalized market square quarter, the scheme will lead the way towards improved walking and cycling links along the river corridor.

“We’re looking to make the most of our impressive heritage, and move us on from some of the 1980s schemes which are well past their sell-by date.

“Helping to bring the award-winning Kendal College into the Westmorland Shopping Centre is just one piece in a complex jigsaw puzzle as we reinvigorate our town to face the challenges of the mid 21st century.”

The £13.5 million pound initiative is just one of the outcomes of Kendal’s Vision scheme, in which residents and businesses were able to share their dreams, fears, thoughts and aspirations for the town.

South Lakeland has been identified as category three, which means the application for the fund would need to be ‘exceptional’ if it is to succeed.