THE public have given their ideas as to what shops they want to see appear in Kendal.

For several months, the town's Wainwright's Yard has three side by side empty spaces have been vacant and are still awaiting buyers to fill the premises.  

Here are some of the ideas suggested by the public for Kendal's new businesses.

Lizi Dorney said: "An escape rooms activity place. Arcade. Bowling. Laser quest."

Janis Mildwater said: "Clothes shops or shoe shops, gifts."

Nick Haslam said: "Charity shops, Turkish barbershops. We don’t have enough of them."

Brad Gibson said: "Bring back KFC, Micro Market and O'Loughlins Toy Shop."

Cathy Thompson said: "Clothes and shoes shops are required for both adults and children."

Shelley Pickles said: "Nandos." 

Willow Longmuir said: "Primark, new look, river island, some sort of clothes shop."

Some people expressed their concerns with the loss of previous businesses on Kendal's high streets.

Anne Jeffery said: "A small local retailer or a bigger NEXT, quality shops not a coffee shop or charity shop. I had an afternoon in Kirkby Lonsdale last week and the shops were really lovely, Kendal used to have the same but now nobody can afford the business rates."

Katie Hogarth said: "Clothes shops, or something for the kids, younger and older, a little arcade, bowling alley. Anything. Kendal is turning into a ghost town. It's a shame really.

Heather Mallinson said: "We used to have a great market hall and shopping centre till they spoilt it. Big supermarkets have done a lot of damage to the town."

Since 2020, the 'death of the high street' has been a cause for concern among many people and business owners, and the disappearance of shops was quickened by lockdown.