A BAR is set for a ‘huge expansion’ worth £1.5million.

The four-phase transformation of Lake View Garden Bar, Bowness, will see the creation of two new terraces at the front of the venue and the doubling of its capacity with a refurbishment of the current ground floor site.

The development will be in keeping with the Lakes’ traditional features and will upcycle original features from the house, including floorboards, beams, doors and stone to use across the site.

Throughout the development, Hargreaves Enterprises also aims to increase the sustainability of the venue with ground source heat pumps, and new period double glazing.

The company is also working alongside Ambleside University, to explore and understand customer perception into what makes or contributes to a bar or restaurant being Carbon Zero.

The project aims to deliver actionable results, which can translate onto the menu, including the introduction of low carbon elements to both the food and drinks offerings.

Furthermore, the expansion will create more jobs for locals, as well as give existing staff the opportunity to develop themselves professionally, according to bar bosses.

The first phase of the development to double the ground floor’s capacity will launch in April.

Phase two will see the addition of a brand-new first-floor terrace and bar (120 covers), ready for spring.

In the summer the third phase will see the unveiling of the interior of the house on the first floor, providing another 80 covers. The final phase, complete for spring 2023, will bring a large-scale wrap-around terrace adding a further 140 covers.

And guests will be able to make full use of the site in all weathers; in the winter months the outdoor spaces will be heated and covered.

Founder Stephen Hargreaves CEO and founder of Hargreaves Enterprises Ltd said: “This is a huge expansion for Lake View Garden Bar, the site’s capacity is more than doubling and we are adding two more levels, all offering prominent sunset views of Lake Windermere. 

“This development is the perfect location, right opposite of the beautiful Bowness Bay. The Lake District has over 15.8 million visitors per year and over 1 million of them go past our site – we can offer tourists and locals alike the delight of enjoying food and drink in a very special location.

“Offering 480 covers to the build makes this one of the biggest bar launches to date in the Lake District, something that we are proud to be leading on.”