MP welcomes plan for Kendal Christmas Market
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed the news that Kendal could host a Christmas market later this year.
At Monday night's meeting of Kendal Town Council, councillors heard a presentation from the Economic Development Team at South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) about the plans, and agreed to support the project with a £3,000 grant.
SLDC who are working with Kendal's Business Improvement District plan to offer a skating rink, Christmas stalls and music. The event is billed a 'Christmas Festival'.
Tim has been urging the district council to bring a Christmas market to the town to attract extra visitors and help the local economy. The district council are also looking at offering reduced parking prices in the run up to Christmas.
At the town council meeting, Councillors David Evans and Paul Bramham mentioned that buses stop running to the estates in Kendal at around 5:30pm. Tim is urging local bus operators to look at extending their hours for the Christmas Market to allow more people to come and shop in Kendal.
Tim said: "Hearing that plans are in place to try and bring a Christmas market to Kendal is fantastic news and something I wholeheartedly support. I'm keen to do all I can to support the project and make it a reality."
South Lakeland District Council portfolio holder for town centres, Giles Archibald added: "As a result of great collaboration between South Lakeland District Council, Kendal Town Council, the BID, and Cumbria County Council, plans are well advanced for a series of Christmas market events in Kendal, starting on December 11th. This will involve at least three specialist markets, an ice rink and possibly other events. This is a terrific example of cooperation between businesses and local government to achieve an objective which has been an aspiration for some time."
Councillor Chris Hogg, Culture, Arts and Events Portfolio Holder at South Lakeland District Council further added: "I hope the Christmas Market will give a boost to the economy at this important time of year. I'm sure both visitors and locals will enjoy the festive atmosphere that will be created."