Ambitious plans to boost the Kendal economy have been unveiled by the town’s Business Improvement District.
They include encouraging more coach operators to include Kendal in their itineraries, organising even more festivals in the town and setting up grow your business training sessions from industry experts to help local firms.
It comes on the back of the BID being granted a further five years of operation after a vote involving town centre businesses.
“Having another five years ahead of us means we can make longer-term plans and hopefully make a real difference to Kendal and its businesses,” said Kendal BID manager Peter Brendling.
More than 70 per cent of those businesses which voted were in favour of Kendal BID, formed 10 years ago, being able to continue until 2029.
The area covered by the BID has also been expanded to include the Canal Head area and businesses such as Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon, Arnord Mardix, The Factory Tap, Bownes Bay Brewing and The Venue.
Also now included is the area around Kendal Railway Station, which will allow Kendal BID to reach out to people arriving by train.
“Over the next five years we want to carry on the things which have proved so successful, such as the festivals and to increase their number,” said Mr Brendling. “For example, we would like to do two or three music festivals each year with some perhaps reflecting a particular genre of music.
“We shall be working even more closely with coach operators from around the country to encourage them to come to Kendal.
“We want to introduce ‘grow your business’ sessions where industry experts hold drop-in sessions for local businesses to learn about boosting their trade.
“We also hope to introduce some social media courses for businesses to learn how to market themselves through things like Facebook, Instagram and X.”
Mr Brendling said the BID was introducing a QR codes scheme in local shop windows which would allow people scanning the code to go directly to that firm’s section on the Discover app. Businesses could include information such as their prices, menus and the firm’s history on their own section as well as a link to their own website.
Other plans include increasing the number of town trails by working with Lakeland Orienteering Club to set up new Easter and Christmas trails. The new QR code initiative will also allow the BID to set up other trails, such as coffee, whisky or historical trails.
“It is really important that Kendal BID remains a voice for businesses with local authorities and lobbies, if necessary, on important issues,” said Mr Brendling.
“We also want to encourage strong local networking and supply chains so that smaller local businesses can supply larger firms in the area.
“We shall continue to encourage community engagement and urging local people to support their local businesses.
“We shall work with Barwatch and the local police and Westmorland and Furness Council to improve safety within the town and we shall also work with the council, Kendal Futures and Kendal Town Council on ways to improve the public realm to make Kendal even more attractive to shoppers and visitors.”
Kendal BID’s grants schemes would also continue, such as providing up to £500 for improvements to shop fronts; up to £1,000 for initiatives to reduce a business’ carbon footprint; and up to £300 for training initiatives.
The plans were aimed at attracting locals and visitors to shop in town, said Mr Brendling. “As far as visitors are concerned, Kendal is a destination in its own right, not just a gateway to the Lake District,” he said.
