Westmorland and Furness Council are encouraging people to ‘drop in’ to Kendal indoor and outdoor markets as they enjoy a ‘new lease of life’.

Due to work Kendal College is carrying out on level 3 of the shopping centre, there have been some changes to access of the indoor market that have created a ‘real buzz’, the council said.

With a market charter dating from 1189, the popular outdoor markets in Market Place are also going strong. They are held every Wednesday and Saturday with a wide range of produce and products on offer. In addition, Kendal Farmers’ Market showcases the best of local produce and crafts twice a month – on the second and last Fridays of each month.

The Market Hall is also home to a cafe and there are public toilets available as well.

Access from the multi-storey car park and Blackhall Road has changed so visitors access the market and Market Place through a specially-opened corridor into the market hall, accessed from next to the Level 5 entrance from the car park. The entrance from Market Place remains the same. The car park can still be accessed from Market Place but by walking through the market and along the corridor.

The closure of level 3 is due to the second major phase of construction in the Westmorland Shopping Centre, which will create a 6th Form Campus for students at Kendal College.

Following earlier works to create a reception area, a social space, and several classrooms, Kendal College will now fully occupy the first and second floors of the building.

The 6th Form Campus, which consists of classrooms, a business hub, conferencing, and a state-of-the-art science laboratory, with more planned for future phases.

Kendal College expects 400 to 500 students to regularly attend the new Westmorland Campus in anticipation that local businesses will benefit from the increased footfall.

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: "Kendal College's campus in the centre of town will be a tremendous boost for their provision of education, skills and learning but also for the viability and sustainability of the town centre. There is a renewed buzz around the indoor and outdoor markets, which is great to see.

"The indoor market is totally unaffected by the college's ongoing work and while access to the market and Market Place from the multi-storey car park and Blackhall Road is different from before, rest assured the markets are open for business."