Kendal business news
Kendal business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
Top story
Shap Road Business Park in Kendal Recommended for Approval
Planners back up to 49,507 sq m of industry and warehousing on fields north of Meadowbank, Kendal. Councillors decide on 12 November.
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Business
Kendal empty shops: council could auction long-empty units
Nearly one in five Kendal town centre units is empty. On 10 November Cabinet decides whether the council can auction leases on shops left vacant over a year.
Business
Pure Lakes opens its Bowness shop on Ash Street
Pure Lakes, the Far Sawrey skincare maker, has opened a shop in Victoria Buildings, Ash Street, Bowness, selling its full handmade range of skincare and gifts.
Business
Kendal bakery Lovingly Artisan up for five national awards
Lovingly Artisan, the sourdough bakery at Plumgarth's on Crook Road, is a finalist in five Baking Industry Awards categories. Winners are named on 25 November.
Business
Cumbria Grand Hotel to be sold, administrators confirm
The Grange-over-Sands hotel will be marketed for sale with Strathmore's seven other hotels. No hotel jobs have gone and the bank expects to be repaid in full.
Kendal
Kendal claimant count: 320 in August, a 2026 high
Kendal's five wards recorded 320 claimants in August, the joint highest of 2026. Nether ward rose 15 in a month, against a district figure flat on the year.
Jobs
Kendal claimant count: 305, as young claims buck the UK
305 people across Kendal's five wards were claiming in July 2026. Under-25 claims in Westmorland and Furness fell 15% in two years while the UK's rose 16%.
Business
Cumbria Grand Hotel in administration, bookings still open
Administrators took over the Cumbria Grand's owner on 11 August. The Grange-over-Sands hotel is one of eight in a group that employed 415 at the last count.
Business
Wine Loft Bowness and two sister companies in liquidation
Three companies linked to Belmont House on Lake Road went into creditors' voluntary liquidation on 8 July. The Sipping Fox distiller stays active.