KENDAL businesses have provided mixed reactions concerning the town’s iconic birdcage which is being repaired.

The birdcage, located on Highgate opposite the Ye Old Fleece Inn, has been undergoing repair work after it was damaged by a passing delivery vehicle.

Businesses in the surrounding area have offered their views on what the future could hold for the structure.

The Ye Old Fleece Inn described the structure as an ‘eye sore’.

A spokesman said: “The structure is really an eye sore that effects business and makes the town look a real mess.

“We can spend millions on flood defence and a new bridge yet we don't care for our town centre.

“It needs knocking down and landscaping. It seems there is an inability to do it.

“The tourist season starts this week it's been like it for weeks, what message does it send out about Kendal?

"It would take a day to remove and temporary landscape while a decision was made what to do about it.

“If we don’t invest in our town then we will struggle to attract new business. There are four empty shops nears us now.”

A spokesman for Westmorland Homecare, located next to the Fleece Inn, said: “We are keen to see the town a central part of our community.

“Like we look after each other we must look after our town too.

“Structures like that are not welcoming and put people off coming into town.

“The fact it's now fenced off means people who are unsteady on their feet are no longer able to sit and rest.

“It really does need addressing urgently not only is it an eye sore it prevents people accessing town.”

The glass and steel shelter at the top of Finkle Street, known as the ‘Birdcage’, was damaged when a delivery vehicle collided with the structure.

South Lakeland District Council, which owns the shelter, is arranging repairs to some damaged glazing and some of the metal frame.

A spokesman for the council explained: “We have had to go through insurers to sort out the claim and to get the repairs authorised. Some of the work requires bespoke metalwork fabrication and specialist glazing to be custom made, but we are hoping to have our contractors on site as soon as possible to remove the damaged parts and take templates for the replacements to be made off-site.

“Once the new components have been fabricated, the contractors will return to site to install them and complete the repairs.

“In the meantime, we have had to cordon off the structure to ensure public safety. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank people for their patience while the repairs are progressed.’’