Kendal College is in the final stages of negotiations to acquire the upper floor of Westmorland Shopping Centre.

The college is planning to open a new town centre campus following increasing numbers of students.

Under the scheme, the upper mall will eventually become a third campus for up to 400 students, with a lecture theatre, science labs, IT and media spaces, and conference rooms. A large, open-plan atrium would support the college’s existing relationships with community projects, festivals and events.

Kendal College principal Kelvin Nash said: “Due to our increased student numbers and the need for additional space, we have been looking at various options for a third college campus for more than a year.

“The college’s use of the Westmorland Shopping Centre as a third campus would cement the college’s place in the heart of the town and its community, contributing much to the social and economic development of Kendal and surrounding areas.

“It is a great space, and it complements our existing Milnthorpe Road Campus and Arts and Media Campus.

“The new additional campus would allow the college to augment its total estate, to create not just new teaching spaces but to improve staff and student social areas across all three sites.”

If the development goes ahead, shops and stores will be consolidated on the lower floor. The existing lower mall stores, the Indoor Market Hall and car parking, will be unaffected.

Student numbers have grown substantially over recent years, and the college’s campuses at Milnthorpe Road and Beezon Road are at capacity.

Between 2001 and 2021, full-time learners aged 16 to 18 have increased from 405 to more than 1,300.

Last year, Kendal College delivered courses to more than 4,000 students, including full-time learners, adults studying professional and recreational courses, apprentices, and students following degree-level programmes.

The college hopes to occupy the Westmorland Shopping Centre in phases, with some classes delivered there from September this year, and full occupation of the upper levels as a standalone college campus from late 2022.

Kendal College is working with Praxis Real Estate Management on the reconfiguration plans.

An application for change of use from retail to education has been submitted to South Lakeland District Council.