2024/5 has again seen mixed fortunes for Kendal’s High Street with some businesses closing and some new businesses opening. Whilst we have had national chains leaving we have also had nationals showing confidence in Kendal and opening new branches.

Kendal is certainly well served with cafes and bistros and also diverse range of shops and businesses in town.

Shop Front Grant (max £500)

Over 50 businesses have now benefited from our grants. To help improve their frontage and the public realm.

Training Grant (max £300 per person)

To help pay for staff training. Training and knowledge that will support and help grow the business as well as improve customer service. This has included training in “signing for the deaf” to improve customer service.

Environmental Grant (Max £1000)

To adopt measures and systems in order to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the business.

Festivals

Kendal BID organises and supports many of Kendal’s Festivals. These festivals have welcomed thousands of visitors into the town and to enjoy all that the businesses, culture and history that Kendal has to offer.

Kendal Torchlight with over 12,000 attendees

Kendal Family Festival with over 2,000 attendees

Kendal Music Festival with over 2,500 attendees

Kendal Town Trail

Every year hundreds of families take part in our town trail each year.

We families visiting shops and parts of the town, they may otherwise overlook.

Marketing and publicity

There are several ways Kendal BID promotes Kendal and its variety of businesses.

Visit Kendal business section – Kendal BID sponsor the business section of the Visit Kendal website, which averages 11,000 views per month, and on social media over 6000 a month, We have paid for 60 businesses to have professional photographs taken of their businesses last year and aim to reach another 50 this year..

Press releases & PR– The BID issues press releases to inform others about the great and innovative progress of businesses, events and its overall positive impact on the town’s community spirit.

Kendal BID speaks to the press and media about matters that are important to the businesses and broader community to highlight our great business community.

A voice for business

The Kendal BID team work with and lobby, local government and council on matters related to Kendal’s businesses.

We also represent Kendal’s businesses at other community events and projects.

New projects

The BID team are always looking at ways we can help our business community.

Training – we want to introduce training programs that will help businesses. This will include first aid at work and improved social media.

We are looking at ways to improve safety and security for staff and customers whilst in town.

We are working with other organisations to increase affordable housing for staff of Kendal’s businesses

The BID has a long-term plan to introduce a major attraction to draw people to Kendal and highlight what make Kendal so special.