KENDAL VISION - INSPIRATION FOR CHANGE IN KENDAL

HISTORIC TOWN CENTRE “The heart of Kendal has lost its soul - there’s a lack of life in the town centre.” QUOTE FROM WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT (OCTOBER 2019) Significant development is required to support the future economy and community, as well as the historic town centre. Future changes must support the town centre by placing people at its heart. Delivering quality homes for workers in local businesses will in turn provide the market for retail and night life. The town centre is a collection of fine buildings, characterful streets, yards and ginnels, which are a delight to explore. However, this is compromised by the impacts of traffic, poor quality and neglected public realm and a challenging retail sector with some empty shops and dilapidated frontages. To compound this, many people felt that Kendal lacks a legible heart. There is a strong wish to create and deliver a town centre strategy, which gives locals and visitors the historic market town daytime and evening experience found in the best towns. It was recognised that to achieve this there needs to be housing and visitor accommodation at the heart of the town and above shops. It was also recognised that there is a need to attract and support diverse creative, artisan and professional businesses by providing co-working space, as well as a strong evening economy. Everyone identified the poor quality and tired public realm. Investment in new pavements, road alignments, furniture, lighting and street trees will transform Kendal into an attractive destination for retail and as a place to love, live and work. 4 THEME PRINCIPLE KENDAL VISION 2020 | THE VISION 31