THIS week's 'Write Up Your Street' heads for Kirkland where it doesn't take a genius to work out what makes this corner of Kendal so special.

As well as being one of the most historic and picturesque parts of town, Kirkland provides a feast for culture vultures thanks to Abbot Hall art gallery and the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry.

It also boasts a plethora of specialist services - from fishing rods and finance, to cooker repairs and architects. And it is home to some of Kendal's famous independent 'names' - Brucie's Bikes, Pete Bland Sports, Robinsons Electricals, Carter Jonas, Cobbler John, for example.

As for those folks who like to get out of their cars and walk straight through the door, there are car parks aplenty. And when it's time to go home, it's even possible to dodge those dreaded town centre traffic jams.

"Kirkland is such a historic place," said Coun Brendan Jameson, also chairman of the Kirkland Partnership, which has some special plans up its sleeve for the area. "We are looking to get some special signage and street art to enhance the historical and economic benefits of being somewhere with such character."

It might not be the shopping street that Diane Hayton remembers from her youth (she grew up in what is now the dental surgery), Kirkland is still a special place because of the personal service offered by traders there.

"When I lived here, there was a butcher, baker, wet fish shop, greengrocers, you had everything you needed. It was just lovely. You didn't need to go anywhere else. They are different kinds of shops now, all specialist shops, but still offering that personal touch," said Diane.

Margaret Elleray also remembers the 'village' atmosphere. She opened Indigo Furnishings and the Blind Gallery back in the mid-80s when it wasn't just the variety of shops which lured her.

"I loved this building; it dates back to 1680," said Margaret, whose husband John and daughter Lisa run the business with her. "And I love the character of Kirkland."

Indigo has clients the length and breadth of the country. It also has its own customer car park at the back of shop. Margaret said: "I wouldn't want to be in the middle of town. It's much more convenient here."

Neighbour Bruce Everett of Brucie's Bikes started out more than 30 years ago in Kirkland, moved up the road, and then came back to the 'village'.

"There's space for 200 cars at the back of my shop. What more could you ask?"

His 'passing trade' includes people cycling Land's End to John O'Groats, coast-to-coast, and Walney to Wear. He even has a customer from Cambridge who always calls in with a 'shopping list' when he is visiting family in the area.

Another Kirkland business which has stood the test of time is Cobbler John - aka John Matthews, who started out as a K Shoes errand boy.

"People will go out of their way to find you if you provide a service," reckons John, whose son Mark looks after the shop. He reckoned this will be the year of the independent retailer, the specialist.

"We can move with the times far quicker than the multiples," said Matthew. "We can diversify like that (clicking his fingers) if we need to."

A few doors up from Cobbler John, 'Mad Monks' Andy Mosely and Peter Shaw have doubled the number of customers through the door of their music shop since re-locating from Orton just over a year ago.

"Because of the recession, if we hadn't come into town then we would have had to pack up," said Andy. "And Kirkland is better for us than the middle of town because of the car parking so close by. You also have all these cars that see you when they drive through Kirkland into town."

Susan Spendlove of Kendal Trophies also believes that car parking is important to Kirkland's continued survival.

"It has to be a help," she said. Her 'Christmas' is the summer when local sporting organisations prepare to hand out their glittering prizes.

"We haven't been affected by the recession at the moment. Fingers crossed that sport is something people will always want to do."