A series of engagement sessions are planned through October and November to encourage market users to speak with the council on what they would like to see from their soon-to-be-refurbished indoor market.
Work to transform Kendal's historic Indoor Market Hall is set to start in December this year.
And users will be able to contribute their views on what they would like to see, starting with engagement sessions at the market from 10am to 5.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. Council staff will be at a stall in the market to explain the planned works and gather comments and suggestions.
Kendal Indoor Market received £840,126 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is aimed at revitalising the historic Market Hall to provide a regenerated community and commercial space for Kendal fit for the 21st Century.
With a finish date of March 2025, the Market Hall will close for around four months from December for works including perimeter wall repairs, roof repairs and an internal fit-out and redecoration of the market. The aim is for these "enabling works" to be a foundation for further improvements if funding can be secured.
Discussions have taken place with traders to explore their options while the Market Hall is closed, and support packages made available to traders to support them through the project and temporary market closure.
Unfortunately the temporary closure includes the busy Christmas trading period, which is unavoidable due to project timeframes to ensure the Market Hall is reopened for the busier trading months through the spring and summer, and the council is committed to supporting it’s traders through the closure period.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: "We have a fantastic opportunity here to inject new life into the indoor market which, along with the thriving outdoor market, will boost the vitality and sustainability of Kendal town centre.
"Work is under way to finalise the details of the improvements and we are keen that our market users let us know what they would like to see in the market in terms of what is on offer, design, layout and facilities. We are also keen to hear from interested businesses and start-ups that might consider the indoor market as a future home for their trading. Our vision is for these improvements not to be the end of the story but the catalyst for future improvements. So even if we cannot accommodate everything now, views gathered at the engagement sessions will inform potential future work."