THE process of turning the old Beales department store on Finkle Street in Kendal into the Spinning Jennies centre is starting amid some challenges for the developers. 

Geraldine Ward and her partner William Smith took on the site, which had been vacant since the Beales brand went into administration in March 2020. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The bottom floor of 5 O'Clock Somewhere, with a toilet installed and the original tiling exposed The bottom floor of 5 O'Clock Somewhere, with a toilet installed and the original tiling exposed (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Ms Ward said that the pair has already put £1.2 million into the project. The retail units will be designed around small independent shops showcasing local produce, a food hall will be built on the bottom floor, and the top will be turned into residential apartments. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The retail unit fronting onto Finkle Street which is near completionThe retail unit fronting onto Finkle Street which is near completion (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Ms Ward said: "By 2024 we want to have Cumbrian independent businesses selling Cumbrian produce or regionally made goods off Finkle Street frontages and be well ahead in developing the street food hall downstairs to open later in 2024."

One of the retail units to the side of the Beales store which came as part of the acquisition is already near completion. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The view from the middle floor of the former Beales store out to the Finkle Street access The view from the middle floor of the former Beales store out to the Finkle Street access (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

The two-floor wine bar '5 O'Clock Somewhere' is also making good progress, with the original tiles being cleaned up and a new toilet installed. Punters can soon look forward to a magnificent view over Kendal from the top floor of the bar. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Where the champagne bar will be Where the champagne bar will be (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

The middle floor of the Beales store with access to Finkle Street is starting to be cleared with a champagne bar to be built at the back of the unit space. Much was left from the Beales store, which has been donated to Age UK. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The panoramic view from what will be the top floor of 5 O'Clock Somewhere The panoramic view from what will be the top floor of 5 O'Clock Somewhere (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

However, the project is complex. Because of a fire in the 1960s which gutted the original store, large parts of the building were later fitted with asbestos. This all has to be cleared out to redevelop the store into a space that can be used for residences, which is costing the owners thousands of pounds each day. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The view from the top of the building - future residents will enjoy views towards Kendal Castle The view from the top of the building - future residents will enjoy views towards Kendal Castle (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Local contractors are being used with a west Cumbrian firm doing the difficult asbestos removal. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The original windows are being kept for the residences The original windows are being kept for the residences (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Work has also had to be halted for the apartments due to the myriad of planning applications that have to be submitted and approved. 

Ms Ward said that the development will cater to a changing high street, which is going back to more independent brands and local sellers as well as recognising Cumbria's visitor economy. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The inside of one of the residences, which was starting to take shape but work has had to stop The inside of one of the residences, which was starting to take shape but work has had to stop (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

She has previously pointed to Mackie Mayors in Altrincham Market as an inspiration for the Spinning Jennies development.